Training for animal welfare activists in Odisha

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar: Humane Society International (HSI) India in collaboration with Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), Blue Cross of Hyderabad (BCH) and Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Organization (ARRO) Odisha is conducting a three day Honorary Animal Welfare Officer(HAWO) training here starting today.The training will focus on building the capacity of local animal welfare advocates to enable better coordination with local law enforcement agencies and improved investigation of animal welfare issues in the state.N.G Jayasimha, managing director, HSI/India said, “Animal cruelty issues in India have increased unprecedentedly.As citizens of the country with the best animal protection laws, we need to have more informed and compassionate people working for animals.Such training programs are the most effective way to ensure that the animal welfare officers deal effectively with animal abuse issues in coordination with local authorities.”Gauri Maulekhi, advisor to Maneka Gandhi, Minister of Women and Child Development and Trustee, People for Animals said “Animal suffering is everywhere, and human responsibility to reduce this is imperative.The HAWO training is very important for young animal welfare activists who wish to engage actively in reducing the suffering of animals in our country.I’m sure that this training will make animal welfare activists in Odisha more effective in their endeavour to resolve animal welfare issues and to sensitize local communities on the need for better animal protection.”The program is being organized at Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD), Bhubaneswar as an intensive three-day course.Animal welfare veterans such as Gauri Maulekhi and N.G Jayasimha, both long standing members of AWBI, will be facilitating the course.