Nepal Must Be Kinder to Its Animals

Talking through the streets of Kathmandu, I am often met by the curious eyes of street dogs, some limping, some dozing peacefully, others wagging their tails, and some barking at me.

- ILA SHARMA

Walking through the streets of Kathmandu, I am often met by the curious eyes of street dogs, some limping, some dozing peacefully, others wagging their tails, and some barking at me. To many of us, they are not strays but neighbours next door. We feed these 'community' animals, care for them, and even give them names. And yet, when it comes to their rights and protection, our legal system offers little, rather a void.

Nepal is a nation of animal lovers. From religious stories and festivals to daily life, animals are woven into our emotional and cultural fabric. Yet this rich tradition of respect for other sentient beings has not translated into modern legal protections. The absence of a comprehensive Animal Welfare and Rights Act in Nepal needs to be addressed.

I was shocked during a recent interaction when the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock referred to animals merely as pashu dhan (livestock wealth) and claimed that community dogs and cats are becoming a problem. But the real problem is not the community animals; it is us. The nuisance some associate with these animals, like aggressive behaviour, noise at night, or the risk of disease, is a direct result of human neglect. Uncontrolled breeding, lack of vaccination and improper waste management are failures of our systems, not the animals themselves. With proper policies, these animals can live peacefully among us, just as our traditions have long envisioned. The solution lies not in blaming the animals, but in taking responsible, compassionate action.