LALITPUR, AUG 9: Animal rights activists, former and serving bureaucrats, veterinarians, media persons and other stakeholders have stressed the need for the formulation and implementation of an Animal Welfare Act in Nepal at the earliest possible. They stressed the need for an inclusive Animal Welfare Act while participating in a workshop organized by Sneha’s Care in Lalitpur on Friday.

The workshop titled ‘In Favor of Inclusive Animal Welfare Act: Workshop with Animal Welfare Professionals” witnessed active participation from senior retired and serving government officials, animal rights activists and veterinarians. They expressed their opinions, highlighting the importance of an Animal Welfare Act in the country.

Addressing the workshop, Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock development, Rajendra Prasad Mishra said that the government is in the process of drafting and implementing an Animal Welfare Act. “We have an animal-friendly society. However, it is unfortunate that different animals are mistreated, tortured and even killed by various people. To prevent such activities, we need an Animal Welfare Act that will guarantee animal welfare and rights and punish the culprits.”

Secretary Mishra also said that slaughtering and live transportation of animals in Nepal are not free of problems and that the government will soon put in place legal measures to address these issues.

Making a presentation on the situation of animal rights and welfare in the country, Sneha Shrestha, the founding chairperson of Sneha’s Care, the organizer of the workshop, said that the trend of abandoning dogs and other animals on the streets after they get old has been increasing in the country.

“We worship dogs, cows and other animals and birds. But there are people who torture animals. Our national animals are forced to eat plastic. Animals are tortured in the name of culture and tradition. All this should be brought to an end,” she said, “For that to happen, we need an inclusive and comprehensive Animal Welfare Act.”

Senior Veterinarian Tapendra Prasad Bohora also made a presentation at the workshop.

 
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