Government preparing separate Animal Welfare Bill, says Minister Chaudhary

Kathmandu, November 8 Agriculture, Forests and Environment Minister Geeta Chaudhary has said the government has prepared a draft of a separate Animal Welfare Bill to strengthen the legal framework on animal welfare, and is now collecting feedback from stakeholders. Speaking at a programme held on Sunday to mark Kukur Tihar, she said the government is advancing policy and legal measures to protect animals and birds and to curb cruelty against them. According to the minister, the draft bill was prepared and moved forward after the Council of Ministers gave its approval in principle in 2021.

She said there has been a long-standing demand for a separate law on animal rights and welfare, and that the government is active in addressing it. Minister Chaudhary said the Constitution of Nepal also contains provisions on animal welfare. She added that the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074, has provisions to control negligent rearing of animals, abandoning them, and cruel treatment.

According to her, the same law provides for punishment in cases of cruelty to animals.