Draft of separate animal welfare bill ready: Agriculture Minister Chaudhary

Agriculture, Forest and Environment Minister Geeta Chaudhary has said a draft of a separate bill on animal welfare has been prepared and that suggestions are being sought from stakeholders on it.

Speaking at a programme on the occasion of Kukur Tihar on Sunday, Minister Chaudhary said the government is taking policy and legal steps to protect animals and birds and to stop cruelty against them.

According to her, drafting work moved forward after the Cabinet gave its in-principle approval in 2078 BS. She noted that there has long been a demand for a separate law on animal rights and welfare, and that the government is actively working to address it.

Minister Chaudhary said Nepal's constitution also has provisions related to animal welfare, and that the National Penal Code, 2074, contains provisions to protect animals and birds and to control negligent rearing, abandonment and cruel treatment of them.