Government brings pet shops under environmental regulatory net

NEW DELHI: The Environment ministry today announced the notification of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2016 that aim to make pet shops accountable and to prevent cruelty against animals kept in such pet shops.

The rules will specify space requirement for birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pig, hamster, rats and mice in the pet shops and also defines the basic amenities, power back-up, general care, veterinary care and other operational requirement for animals kept in pet shops. It will be made mandatory for pet shop owners to proper records of sale, purchase, death of animals in pet shop, sick animals etc.

Non-compliance of the proposed rules will lead to cancellation of registration of pet shop and pet animals so confiscated, shall be handed over to an Animal Welfare Organisation, or a rescue centre recognised by the Board.

Under the new rules, every pet shop owner will be required to submit yearly report to the State Board regarding animals, sold, traded, bartered, brokered, given away, boarded or exhibited during previous year, or any other information asked for by the State Board.

Environment minister Anil Dave said that the move was being made to regulate pet shops as this was an area functioning without any kind of controls so far.

As per the rules, it will be mandatory for all pet shop owners to register themselves with the State Animal Welfare Board of the respective State Government. Such a registration will only happen after inspection by the representatives of State Board, a veterinary practitioner and a representative of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The Environment ministry has also brought about an amendment in EIA Notification, 2006 on Integration of Environmental Conditions with Building Permissions.

Currently, all building and construction covering 20,000 sq. mtr. and above are subject to environmental clearance given by the State Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority. Under the revised norms, the environmental clearance will now be issued in an integrated manner alongwith the building permission under building bye laws for all building constructions covering 20,000 to 1,50,000 sq. mtr. of built up area.

Environmental clearance for built up areas from 1,50,000 to 3,00,000 square metre will be given by the State Level Authorities subject to EIA while the areas above 3,00,000 sq.m. will be approved and cleared by the Union Government. Area less than 20,000 sq. mtr. will be subject to a self declaration.