Right from the very beginning, several incidents were reported regarding human-animal conflicts, due to which whereon one hand, humans have faced a lot of problems and sometimes even precious lives were lost, but in the long run it is animals which have faced wreath. One can easily judge the height of ill-impact of these effects on animals that even some species reached near verge of extinction. The scenario in urban areas is even also quite serious as several incidents of bites by stray animals are reported. From time to time, the Government has taken several effective steps for tackling the issue. In this regard, the Central Government has notified Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 vide G.S.R 193(E) dated March 10, 2023 under Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 and after superseding Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001. The Rules have addressed the guidelines of the Supreme Court in the Writ Petition No. 691 of 2009 between Animal Welfare Board of India and People for Elimination of Stray Troubles. The Supreme Court has in various orders specifically mentioned that relocation of dogs cannot be permitted. As per extant Rules, Animal Birth Control programme for sterilization and immunization of the stray dogs are to be carried out by respective local bodies/ municipalities/ Municipal Corporations and Panchayats. Also, the cruelty involved for carrying out of ABC programme need to be addressed. By effective implementation of these Rules, the Animal Birth Control programme can be conducted by the local bodies which will help in reducing the stray dog population addressing the animal welfare issues. The Municipal Corporations need to implement the ABC and Anti-Rabies Programmes jointly. The Rules also provide the guidelines how to deal with the human and stray dog conflicts without relocating the dogs in an area. One of the requirements under the Rule is that the Animal Birth Control Programme needs to be carried out by AWBI recognized organization specifically recognised for Animal Birth Control programme. The list of such Organizations will be made available on the website of the Board which will also be updated time to time. The Central Government has already issued letters to all the State Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries of Animal Husbandry Department and Urban Development Department. Therefore, the local bodies are requested to implement the Rules in letter and spirit and not to permit any Organizations to carry out ABC programme which are not recognized by AWBI and approved for ABC programme or otherwise elaborated in the Rules.
