The Animal Welfare Division became a part of the Ministry of Environment and Forests in July 2002. Earlier the Division was under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The mandate of Animal Welfare Division is to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering to animals. The main task of the Division is to implement effectively the various provisions of prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
A National Institute of Animal Welfare (NIAW) at Ballabhgarh, Faridabad has been established to impart training and education in animal welfare and veterinary science. The institute aims at creating an enabling environment for fulfillment of the statutory under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is a statutory body under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 with headquarters at Chennai. Its basic mandate is to advise the Government on animal welfare issues, and create awareness in animal welfare. AWBI gives financial assistance to eligible Animal Welfare Organisations for Shelter Houses, Model Gaushalas for setting up Bio-Gas Plants, Famine/Drought Relief, Earthquake Relief, etc., in various states. The number of Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs) registered with AWBI went up to 2152 during the year.
