TV
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all the Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to set up Animal Welfare Societies. Earlier, the Ministry of Education had issued a formal notification in this context.
It is pertinent to mention here that under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, one of the fundamental principles that will guide both the education system at large, as well as the individual institutions include ethics and human and Constitutional values like empathy, respect for others, cleanliness, courtesy, democratic spirit, spirit of service, respect for public property, scientific temper, liberty, responsibility, pluralism, equality, and justice.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recognizes the importance of social, emotional, and ethical learning as essential components of holistic education. It stresses that educational institutions should actively nurture values like empathy, compassion, cooperation and a strong of resposibility among students.
NEP 2020 inter-alia endorses the value-based education including development of humanistic, ethical, Constitutional, and universal human values of truth (satya), righteous conduct (dharma), peace (shanti), love (prem), nonviolence (ahimsa), scientific temper, citizenship values, and also life-skills; lessons in seva/service and participation in community service programmes will be considered an integral pan or a holistic education.
The Policy also emphasise that students are the prime stakeholders in the education system and vibrant campus life is essential for high-quality teaching-learning processes. Towards this end, students will be given plenty of opportunities for participation in sports, culture/arts clubs, eco-clubs, activity clubs, community service projects, etc.
Animal welfare is an integral part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
An indicative list of activities that can be carried out by the Animal Welfare Societies are:
Awareness and Education: Lectures, workshops, and film screenings on animal protection laws, environmental ethics, zoonotic diseases, and best practices in animal care.
Campus-Based Initiatives: Creation of safe animal feeding areas, first-aid response teams for animals In distress. and partnerships with local veterinary hospitals or shelters.
Legal and Policy Literature: Study circles, legal aid camps, and public interest research on implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and other applicable laws.
Sustainability Projects: Promotion of campaigns against plastic use and animal exploitation on campus.
Community Outreach: Conducting sensitisation workshops in institutions and neighbourhoods. especially in areas with frequent human-animal conflict. Innovation can be encouraged in this area.
Internships and Field Exposure: Facilitate internships with district Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCM), local veterinary hospitals, forest departments, organisations involved in rescue and disaster management.
Research Fellowships or Capstone Projects: Encourage final-year projects and dissertations on interdisciplinary themes such as animal protection law, zoonotic diseases, ethical consumerism, and urban wildlife ecology.
In the light of the above, all Higher Education Institutions are requested to take appropriate action for setting up of Animal Welfare Societies on their campuses, said UGC in its notice.
