Authorities in Uttar Pradesh have instituted a ban on the use of animal-drawn carts when temperatures exceed 37°C, and have also imposed restrictions on their load capacity.
Uttar Pradesh Introduces Guidelines to Protect Animals During Peak Heat Hours
The Uttar Pradesh government has established new guidelines to limit the use of animals for transportation and agricultural work during peak heat hours, with the aim of preventing overexertion and cruelty. These guidelines are enforced under the UP Cow Slaughter Prevention Act, 1960, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Transport of Animals on Foot) Rules, 1965.
The rules cap the maximum load animals can pull or carry, such as bulls, buffaloes, horses, ponies, camels, and donkeys. Small bulls or buffaloes can pull up to 1,000 kg on pneumatic tyres, while medium-sized ones may pull up to 1,400 kg. Horses are allowed to pull 750 kg on pneumatic tyres, and so on. For animals carrying loads on their back, the weight limit varies by size and species.
During peak heat hours (between 12 noon and 3 pm) in areas where the temperature surpasses 37°C, the use of animals is prohibited. Jaikesh Kumar Pandey, director of animal husbandry, has stated that officials from various departments, including police, transport, health, and local bodies, have been asked to monitor compliance and enforce necessary actions against violations. Informative drives are also planned to inform stakeholders about the new rules.
Additionally, the use of harmful tools such as barbed harnesses has been banned, as they can cause injuries and distress to the animals. Animal-drawn vehicles transporting people can accommodate a maximum of four passengers (excluding the driver and children under six years of age). Animals cannot be used continuously for more than five hours or more than nine hours a day.
While the UP Cow Slaughter Prevention Act primarily prohibits cow and calf slaughter, it does not detail regulations for animal transport or agricultural use. The relevant protections come from the national Transport of Animals Rules, which require humane handling, prohibit overloading, and mandate regular rest and water, but do not explicitly restrict transport or work during heat hours.
In summary, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced guidelines to protect animals from overexertion and cruelty during peak heat hours. The new rules include load restrictions and a ban on harmful tools, as well as heat hour restrictions for animals used in transportation and agricultural work. State officials are tasked with enforcing compliance and informing stakeholders about the new regulations.
The Uttar Pradesh government, aiming to safeguard not just cows but also other animals, has expanded its protective measures to encompass health issues related to environmental-science factors like weather. As a part of these measures, it has prohibited the use of animals for transportation or agricultural work during peak heat hours, which are noted between 12 noon and 3 pm in areas where the temperature surpasses 37°C. Furthermore, in the realm of science, the use of harmful tools such as barbed harnesses, which are known to cause injuries and distress to animals, has been banned.
