55% of Delhi’s ABC centres lack animal panel's key nod

OF 20 ABC CENTRES IN DELHI, ONLY 9 HAVE SECURED THE CLEARANCE FROM ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA, OFFICIALS SAID

- Aaditya Khatwani

More than half of Delhi's Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres are yet to receive “project recognition” from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a prerequisite under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which was reiterated last week in the city government's new guidelines on street dog management.

Of the 20 ABC centres operating in Delhi, only nine have secured the clearance so far, officials familiar with the process said. While all centres have applied, approvals remain at varying stages.

The first is a general recognition, which formalises an NGO's operations and makes it eligible for grants. The second ~ known as project recognition — is mandatory for running ABC programmes such as sterilisation and immunisation of stray dogs. Without it, centres cannot legally carry out these activities.