J&K Gets New Year 2026 Gift As UT Approves New Animal Welfare Board

A new Animal Welfare Board in Jammu and Kashmir is music to our ears, as India’s fight against animal cruelty intensifies. The board has been commissioned by the UT’s Lieutenant Governor (LG), Manoj Sinha, with the support of India’s ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It will be headed by the Union Territory’s (UT) current Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.

The board will be responsible for advising state and central governments on animal welfare matters, creating laws and ensuring that the Animal Welfare Act, 1960, is being implemented.

The LG has handpicked members from the Forest, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Housing and Development, Police, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj departments for more efficiency and different perspectives in tackling and solving animal-related crimes, which have grown exponentially over the years in the volatile UT.

The larger issue here is that cows, which are considered sacred by Hindus, were being transported illegally into and across the state for slaughter. It has resulted in rampant smuggling of other bovine animals as well, which has faced a lot of opposition among religious Hindus in the UT. 

As per the order, the board will “call for reports from police, magistrates, municipal authorities and district administrations and ensure that cruelty cases are detected, reported, investigated and prosecuted promptly.”

“The Board shall function as the nodal platform for the planning and execution of animal welfare schemes and programmes within the UT. It shall assess the requirement for animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination projects, shelter facilities, rescue centres and awareness drives. The Board shall oversee the process of registration, licensing and periodic inspection of pet shops, breeders, animal markets and other establishments dealing with animals,” the order stated.

While time will tell the impact of the welfare board in enforcing strict animal cruelty rules in J&K, it serves as an example for other UTs and states to follow in India.

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