Advocating Animal Welfare

My City’s Sonam Lama talked with Manoj Gautam to gain better understanding of the AFA conference and his attempts to securing animal rights in Nepal. Excerpts:

How long has it been since you dedicated yourself to animal welfare in Nepal? 
It has been 10 years since I have dedicated myself for the cause of advancing animal welfare in Nepal. I have talked at past AFA conferences. However, this will be my first keynote speech at the conference. There couldn’t have been a better opportunity than to bring AFA to Nepal. Despite being the smallest team to have ever hosted AFA, we dared for this massive task, nervous and scared, we worked hard, and with a massive support from so many people and organizations from across the globe we have come close to what we believe will be the largest and most productive AFA so far. I hope that this will help our local organizations grow not only in terms of expanded networks, ideas, finance and all the practical sides of running animal welfare organization but also in terms of spirituality and loyalty towards the cause. I sincerely hope that AFA Kathmandu will be a hub to recharge faith, hope, and inspiration.

What drew you to work for the welfare of animals? 
I have been an animal lover all my life as I would always help an animal in need as a young boy and collected animals, brought snakes and lizards, centipedes and beetles home. I was drawn toward wild animals. I started working for wildlife conservation at the age of 14. However, when I was campaigning against the captive breeding of rhesus macaques (breeding with the intention to export them to US labs), I realized that there was no one who could advocate for animal welfare in a strategic manner in the country. I unwillingly took the responsibility, as there was a stigma on being an animal rights activist among the conservation circle. 

Are the laws of Nepal and approaches of animal welfare organizations good enough to ensure animal welfare? 
The laws are changing. We have had massive influence in bringing change in the mentality of the concerned authorities and policy makers. The Supreme Court with its order on our petition against Gadhimai sacrifices has made it very clear that the apex judicial agency realizes that we have past the time we did some major legislative and policy changes to update our society to be animal cruelty-free. The change in Muluki Ain has brought some amazing provisions that directly mention protection of animals; some new directives on working animals have also surfaced. However, there seems to be an utter lethargy and non-compliance among the bureaucracy. More than a year after the Supreme Court’s order, concerned departments have taken no initiative to deter animal sacrifices. 

How is the AFA conference 2017 different from the previous ones? 
This year we have tried to stick to a theme. We are dealing with the animals that are primarily the subjects of animal welfare organizations. There are some 196 presentations and workshops representing work, ideas, theory and practices of above 40 different countries. We believe that this AFA will help institutionalize the practice of Animal Welfare in Nepal touching every level from ground level to the top policy level and aware the media as well. If we can change human behavior we can fix many problems at the root level and that is the most sustainable change possible.

What policy changes do you suggest for ensuring the welfare of animals in Nepal? 
Better laws need to be introduced while the existing ones need to be implemented. The coordination among different ministries and departments is highly needed. Animal welfare needs to be introduced in the mainstream curriculum in schools as a formal subject and a regulatory body like an Animal Welfare Board or Commission needs to be in place that can further ensure the incorporation of animal welfare practice in all the cross-sectorial. 

What suggestions do you have for our readers?
I believe one does not have to be an outright activist to be helpful and sensitive towards animals. Only by keeping animals healthy and happy can humanity remain intact, we all have a role to play in making sure that not only our society remains animal cruelty free but sets an amazing example of being an animal loving society.

10th Asia For Animals Conference

The 10th Asia for Animals Conference will be taking place from December 2-5 at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Durbarmarg. The Asia for Animals Coalition, which brings together 23 of the world’s leading animal welfare organizations share a focus of improving conditions for animals in Asia.
The conference taking place for the first time in Kathmandu is hosted by Jane Goodall Institute Nepal under the theme ‘Changing Human Behavior’. Animal professionals, advocates, scientists and scholars from over 30 countries will be networking and sharing their experiences with those leading the way in animal welfare and environmental conservation.
The conference will be attended by an impressive list of international keynote speakers. A number of talks and interactive workshops will be held with focus on understanding human behavior and ways to influence behavior to bring meaningful change. 
Keynote speakers for the conference include Grace Ge Gabriel, Mark Earls, Pei F Su, Chu Tseng-Hung, Steven M Wise, Faizan Jaleel, Andrew N.Rowan, Nanditha Krishna, Manoj Gautam, and Suzanne Rogers.
“Everyone has experience, knowledge or ideas about changing human behavior and influencing what people do”, said Suzanne Rogers, founder of Human Behavior Change for Animals. “Asia for Animals 2017 will be an opportunity for all of us to learn more about this theme – the key to achieving great, lasting impact for the animals of Asia.”
Executive director of Jane Goodall Institute, Manoj Gautam and executive board member and activist Shristi Singh Shrestha were present at a press meet to address queries about the event. 
“JGI will be planting 3000 trees in Mugu and Bardia districts of Nepal for the carbon offsetting caused by the air travels of AFA delegates who are coming to Nepal from all over the world,” said Gautam.
AFA Kathmandu will organize a wellness program with various activities to keep the ambience of the whole event rejuvenating. The wellness schedule consists of Vinyasa-flow yoga, Hatha yoga, didgeridoo and singing bowl therapy, compassion fatigue, foot massage, Hafla, dance and movement therapy.