The Animal Welfare Board of India requested all states and union territories to construct adequate animal crematoriums to dispose of cadavers in an environmentally acceptable manner.
Be it any living being, it is basic that there is dignity even in death. We at VOSD realise and embrace this belief every single time we lose a beloved dog. To send them off with the same love and respect they showed us, we constructed an in-house crematorium a few years ago. The ashes of the dogs are subsequently collected and buried across the campus, over which we plant saplings.
AWBI REINFORCES NEED FOR ADEQUATE ANIMAL CREMATORIUMS
It is indeed disheartening that most animals in India though – be it pets or livestock, don’t get the same privilege of a respectful cremation. More often than not, they are disposed in garbage bins or mass-buried near landfills. This not only strips away the dignity of the animal, but can cause environmental disasters such as contamination of soil and water.
In a circular issued by the AWBI on 2nd August, 2022, it encouraged states and union territories across India to make adequate crematoriums/incinerators to dispose animal cadavers in an environmentally acceptable manner.
WHY IS PROPER CREMATION THE NEED OF THE HOUR?
High population of pet animals and livestock
As per the AWBI census in 2018, it was estimated that nearly 19.5 million dogs are kept as pets in homes – this figure is estimated to increase to 31 million by the end of 2023. In addition, there are around 6.2 crore stray dogs, 91 lakh stray cats, and around 88 lakh street dogs and cats in shelters homes. Further, as of 2019 India had approximately 192.4 million cattle as part of livestock production facilitation. Be it pet animals or livestock, upon their demise the carcasses need to be disposed of properly.
Prevention of environmental issues
Safe disposal of deceased animals is an important day-to-day issue in order to prevent transmission of diseases, and to protect the air, water and soil. A recommended option for disposal of mortalities is rendering incineration for which more crematoriums are required nation-wide.
It is also pertinent to note that the Swachh Bharat Mission was launched with the slogan ‘One step towards cleanliness.’ So cremating cadavers of stray and pet animals will contribute to the Swachh Bharat Mission and make the environment clean, stated the AWBI circular.
Relief for pet parents and respect for animals
It is widely believed in India that cremation upon death brings peace to the soul of the departed, and peace to the family members. So upon the death of a pet animal, if the option to cremate is available it will ensure pet owners are at ease – instead of running from pillar to post figuring out what to do with the mortal remains of their beloved animal.
Moreover, every animal deserves respect even after their demise so as opposed to being thrown in a garbage bin or ending up in a landfill, crematoriums can be the means to assure them a dignified end. It can help us pay gratitude and bid adieu to the animals that have enriched our lives for years.
PREVENT CRUELTY TO ANIMALS & PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS BEFORE AND AFTER DEATH
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, is to be protected and safeguarded by the State & Central Government, Union Territories, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the AWBI. Section 3 and 11 of this Act reinstate the five freedoms that all animals are entitled to:
Freedom from hunger, thirst, and malnutrition
Freedom from fear and distress
Freedom from physical and thermal discomfort
Freedom from pain, injury and disease
Freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour
Along with upholding these laws, the AWBI on 2nd August, 2022 in its circular requested that the efforts should be made to properly dispose of animal cadavers by making adequate animal crematoriums and incinerators in each district of every state and union territory. This will keep the environment clean, and honour the sentiments of pet & stray animals, livestock, and the people caring for them.
