KATHMANDU , Feb 18: A discussion program on the draft of the Animal Welfare Bill, organized by the animal welfare organization Sneha's Care and co-organized by the Nepal Farmers Advisory Council, concluded on Monday.
The program, held at the Basera Boutique Hotel in Babarmahal, was held with the office bearers of the Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee under the Federal Parliament Secretariat.
Animal rights activists stress need for Animal Welfare Act
Many countries have long implemented animal welfare laws. Neighboring India, for instance, enacted the Animal Welfare Act in 1960 and established the Animal Welfare Board in 1962. In contrast, Nepal lacks a dedicated legal framework to prevent animal cruelty and promote welfare. The draft Animal Welfare Act, which received in-principle approval from Nepal’s Council of Ministers on 18 November 2021, was discussed as a bill to address this gap.
During the discussion, former minister and committee member Bhanubhakta Joshi stressed the importance of revising existing laws alongside the proposed Act, highlighting the need to prohibit inhumane practices such as burning or burying animals alive. Committee member Bijula Rayamajhi reiterated the importance of protecting animals' right to live, while another member Saraswati Subba said that the committee would take necessary steps to refine and advance the bill before submission.
Whip of the CPN (Maoist Center), Rupa So.Si. Chaudhari, expressed confidence that the bill would be implemented in a balanced manner. Sneha Shrestha, Chairperson of Sneha’s Care, urged for the timely passage of the much-awaited law, citing its significance for animal welfare activists.
The program, held at Basera Boutique Hotel in Babarmahal, was attended by 12 MPs from the Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee, legal professionals, animal rights activists and employees of the Federal Parliament Secretariat. The program was chaired by Dr Yogendra Karki, former Secretary to the Government of Nepal and Chairperson of the Nepal Farmers Advisory Council, while Sneha Shrestha, Chairperson of Sneha's Care, presented on the need for the Animal Welfare Act and the provisions of the proposed draft, emphasizing that since the Animal Welfare Act is a much-awaited document for animal welfare activists, it should be passed and implemented quickly and amended in a timely manner.
