KATHMANDU, Dec 24: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the government to promulgate Animal Welfare Act in order to prevent cruel and harsh treatment of animals and birds in the course of transporting them.

Stating that there is emerging practice of promulgating animal welfare laws in various democratic countries such as the UK, the USA and even in neighboring India; the Supreme Court issued a writ of mandamus to the authorities — the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Health — to promulgate a unified animal welfare act to secure the rights of the animals.

A division bench of justices Tej Bahadur KC and Meera Khadka issued the order.

The bench was responding to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocates Padam Shrestha and Sadkon Shrestha. The bench also directed the authorities to honor the animals' right to life and make necessary arrangements. The apex court had pronounced the judgment on February 11 but made public the full text of judgment on Monday.

In the full text of judgment, the apex court observed that the Ministry of Agriculture, Central Quarantine Office, Animal Health Directorate, Ministry of Health and the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers did not take necessary action as required by the Animal Health and Livestock Service Act, 1999 and Animal Health and Livestock Service Rules 2000 and Animal Transportation Standard, 2007 with regard to the cruelty meted out against animals in the course of transportation.

 
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