Karnali Province Implements Animal Welfare Standards 2080

The government of Karnali province has implemented the Animal Welfare Standards 2080. These guidelines have been established by the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives following the Animal Health and Animal Services Act of 2055, with the primary goal of ensuring animal welfare. The recommendations include adopting good production practices and effectively managing animal breeding.

During a discussion promoting the implementation of these standards, which came into effect on December 20, 2023, Narahari Prasad Ghimire, the ministry's secretary, expressed that they were introduced to encourage proper practice within the animal husbandry sector. Dr. Ghimire further implored animal traders to enforce these standards to eliminate inhumane treatment during the rearing, transportation, or sale of animals.

Sneha Shrestha, president of Sneha's Care Lalitpur, stated that the guidelines set forth by Karnali province's government would lead to increased production and improved sanitation for animal and poultry products, while also reducing extreme cruelty towards animals and enhancing overall animal welfare. The provisions within these standards address rights such as protecting animals from hunger, thirst, malnutrition, fear, panic, physical and environmental stress, and disease or injury. They also advocate for animals' freedom to engage in natural behavior.

Dr. Bimal Kumar Nirmal, Managing Director of Nepal Farmers Advisory Council Pvt. Ltd., praised the provincial government for acknowledging and supporting the long-standing campaign for establishing universal animal welfare standards.

How Animal Welfare Standards be helpful for Nepal?

Here are some ways the Animal Welfare Standards can help improve conditions for animals in Nepal:

• Improving livestock conditions and management: Many animals in Nepal are used for agriculture and livestock farming. Having clear standards and regulations around issues like housing, healthcare, transport, and responsible livestock breeding can ensure better living conditions and prevent inhumane practices.
• Protecting working animals: Animals like donkeys, horses, and mules are still routinely used as beasts of burden in Nepal. Enforcing standards for their proper care and preventing abuse and overwork of these animals while working is important.
• Curbing illegal wildlife trade: Nepal is a transit point for illegal trading of endangered animals like tigers, rhinos, red pandas, etc. Strict enforcement of wildlife trade bans and hunting laws is crucial. Certification schemes can help curb the trade of animals captured from the wild.
• Management of stray dog populations: Uncontrolled burgeoning stray dog populations often lead to issues like bites, diseases, and animal cruelty. Systematic sterilization, anti-rabies programs, and adoption schemes guided by animal welfare experts can offer sustainable solutions.
• Boosting tourism: With its rich wildlife, animal welfare reforms can aid conservation efforts and environmental protection thereby boosting eco-tourism, and travel trade focused on preserving Nepal's natural heritage.
• Preventing animal abuse: Animal welfare laws, safety directives, and penalties against acts of cruelty or illegal housing of wildlife as pets can greatly reduce avenues of exploitation. It encourages a culture of compassion towards voiceless beings.

So adopting clear animal welfare regulatory frameworks tailored for Nepal can drive widespread reform for improving animal lives across categories - domesticated, working beasts, abandoned pets, and wild fauna.

Looking at this brilliant concept by the Karnali Province's government, other provinces should also follow in its footsteps. It will be further effective if a uniform set of standards are developed to be implemented all over Nepal.