2 Years of Delhi's Animal Welfare Board, But Nothing to Show for It

Formed in April 2023 with the promise of transforming animal welfare in the national capital, the Delhi State Animal Welfare Board (DAWB) has been little more than a paper tiger.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

NEW DELHI: More than two years on, the board has failed to register even a single pet shop or dog breeder—one of its primary mandates—even as complaints against unregulated operators continue to pile up.

Announced by then environment minister Gopal Rai, the 27-member board is chaired by the minister of animal husbandry and includes MLAs, municipal officials, veterinary experts, and gaushala (cow shelter) representatives. After two initial meetings in April and July last year, the board met only once again—in September 2024, and even that meeting was held following directions from the Delhi high court.

"After the initial two meetings, the September meeting was again held only because the high court stepped in. Then meeting was scheduled in October, which never took place," said Asher Jesudoss, an animal welfare activist whose 2022 plea in court led to DAWB's formation. Jesudoss, who was later appointed to the board, said DAWB has been rendered toothless by the "apathy and lethargy" of officials. "There isn't even a helpline number or email address for citizens to contact the board."

The Pet Shop Rules, 2018, require all shops in the city selling animals to register with the state board, which must inspect the living conditions of animals and maintain sale-purchase records. The Dog Breeding Rules, 2017, similarly mandate registration of breeders and at least one inspection per year.

Yet, no such registration has taken place.