Alappuzha: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has decided to observe annual animal welfare fortnight from January 14 to 30 with the focus on using cow dung and urine for beneficial projects. A circular issued on December 28 has asked all states to start training for goshala personnel to utilise cow dung and urine for the production of bio-gas, vermicompost, organic soaps, agarbatis and panchagavya medicines. It has directed to introduce animal birth control (ABC)/anti rabies (AR) programmes for controlling the stray dog population.It said that sick animals should be taken to a veterinary doctor and a campaign called adopt a homeless pet should be started.
Food and water to birds should be provided in earthen bowls and a large number of bird- friendly trees like jamun, neem, shahtoot, bargat, peepal, seemal should be planted. The animal lovers should start an anti-plastic bag campaign. Treatment camps should be organised for sick animals and food and medicine should be given to them regularly.
Schools should be advised to avoid dissection of animals and computer programmes of frog, rat, earthworm, cockroach and pigeon should be adopted. It has suggested launching an anti-oxytocin drive against the misuse of ‘oxytocin’ injections for drawing milk from cattle which is illegal as per Food and Drug Adulteration Prevention Act.
“Arrange visit to slaughter houses in your area and educate the butchers on humane slaughter and create awareness on slaughter house rules. Prevent introduction of children in the slaughter house jobs at a tender age,” the circular said.
