To date, every year since its inception, BWC has achieved some thing! To see ALL our Achievements please click here.
With specific goals in mind Beauty Without Cruelty has sincerely carried out its work, however kept a low profile. Most tasks undertaken have been difficult, often seemed impossible to achieve, but frustration has never made the organization give up even when implementation was stalled. Sticking to the facts, a persistent follow-up and constantly looking for new ways to achieve its aims has led BWC to success in many instances.
Our Achievements between 2011 and 2020 are:
Elephants Rides at Amer Fort to be phased out
Subsequent to an application regarding captive elephants filed in the Supreme Court by the WRRC with financial support from BWC, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change recommended in their Health Investigation Report of Captive Elephants at Amer and Haathi Gaon in Jaipur that “In a phased manner the elephant rides in Amer Fort may be withdrawn and switched over to other modes of transportation like electric or battery operated vehicles. The declining trend of tourists on elephant rides and ageing animals are indicators for changes. The owners of the elephants also may be rehabilitated suitably in such situations. New addition of elephants for rides should be completely banned.”
No Camel Sacrificed
Not a single camel was slaughtered in India for Bakri Eid 2020. BWC wrote to the Prime Minister, and Chief Ministers with copies to all District Magistrates and Police of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala, because in the past camels had either being killed or appeals had been made for their sacrifice in these states. We sent them the landmark Judgement of the Madras High Court and requested them to stop entry, sale and slaughter of camels. Meanwhile, Rajasthan assured us they would stop camels being smuggled out. Since the Border Security Force was short of camels, in 2014 the state had passed laws for their protection. BWC also approached the Animal Welfare Board of India following which a circular was issued by the Secretary to all states’ Chief Secretaries, Director Generals of Police and Animal Husbandry Directors.
Dog Meat banned in Nagaland
Immediately China removed dogs from being classified as livestock, in May 2020 BWC approached the state government of Nagaland again to also ensure that the rearing of dogs and cats for meat and their consumption stops. Within a month the state cabinet decided to ban commercial import and trading of dogs and dog markets and also the sale of dog meat. Unfortunately in June 2023 the Gauhati HC quashed the Nagaland dog meat ban.
Killing of Raptors in Punjab stopped
Upon informing the Wildlife Department that pigeon fanciers were hunting and killing raptors in Punjab, they promptly investigated and filed 24 FIRs against the culprits so that such illegal killing of raptors to save pigeons was stopped.
Camel Sacrifices halted in Uttar Pradesh
BWC approached over 55 persons including the Prime Minister of India, Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, District Magistrates, Bureaucrats and Police personnel of Uttar Pradesh, as well as the Animal Welfare Board of India and many others in the UP administration requesting them to stop the slaughter of camels that occur two days after Bakri Eid. We succeeded in as much that the state government ensured that a mandi where hundreds of camels were traded for sacrifice each year before the festival was not organised in Mau, the Police located 5 camels in Varanasi and 22 in Meerut with the help of camera drones, 2 more were rescued from Jaunpur, and all sent back to Rajasthan.
Feeding Live Calves to Lions at Gir stopped again
Following a complaint from BWC to the Gujarat government about live calves being again illegally fed to Gir Lions, a member specially checked that the practice had recently been stopped.
Uttarakhand Bans ‘Catch & Release’ Angling
For several years BWC kept approaching the government to ban the practice of ‘catch & release’ particularly to save the mahseer. Eventually in July 2018, Uttarakhand issued a notification banning it on grounds of cruelty. (However, it was most unfortunate that the ban was lifted after 2 years in November 2020 under pressure from tourism groups.)
BWC begins free distribution of Non-animal Hair Paint Brushes to Students
BWC started free distribution of packets containing a non-animal hair paint brush with explanatory leaflet, stickers, and a phonetic alphabet bookmark for animal activists, to students in schools.
Army Stops Ritual Animal Sacrifices
The Defence Ministry asked the Indian Army to put an end to ritual animal slaughter in all their units. BWC had 2010 onwards written to the Government of India several times condemning the beheading of buffaloes and goats by the Gorkha, Garhwal, Kumaon and other regiments.
Notification banning ALL animals in Circuses
BWC’s continuous demand since 1990 bore fruit and on 28 November 2018 the Government notified The Performing Animals (Registration) (Amendment) Rules, 2018 which stated at 13A: Prohibition on exhibiting and training of animals for specified performances - No animals shall be used for any performances or exhibition at any circus or mobile entertainment facility.
Proposed Crocodile Culling Halted Every few years BWC had been strongly objecting to killing/harvesting crocodiles (the result of an over-successful conservation programme) in India. Again there was a proposal, this time for culling them in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands against which BWC sprung into action following which a letter from the Ministry of Environment that permission was not granted was received.
Export of Goats & Sheep Cancelled
In response to BWC’s request as well as many other requests from the Jains and animal activists, the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry cancelled the export of thousands of goats & sheep to Sharjah from Nagpur airport on 30 June 2018.
Restrictions on Oxytocin
The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare took strict measures to stop the misuse of Oxytocin by restricting its manufacture and sale. In the early 1990s BWC began campaigning against cows and she-buffaloes being regularly subjected to Oxytocin injections causing painful contractions of their uteruses every day prior to milking.
No Marine Oceanarium at Somnath
In response to BWC asking the Gujarat state government to reconsider setting up a Marine Oceanarium at Somnath, the government replied that they did not plan to establish it.
Dog Races cancelled in Maharashtra
Between December 2017 and April 2018 Dog Races scheduled to be held at 6 different places in Maharashtra were cancelled after BWC approached politicians, collectors, animal husbandry personnel and the police of the areas.
Ban on Wild Animals in Circuses
At long last the Central Zoo Authority of India banned all circuses from using wild animals to perform or be exhibited. (However, BWC continues to campaign against the use of other creatures.)
Ban on Manja
The National Green Tribunal imposed a nationwide ban on manja used for flying kites. All states have been directed to prohibit its "manufacture, sale, storage, purchase and use". For decades BWC had been campaigning against the use of manja which often resulted in grave injuries and even death to birds – animals and humans too.
Suggestions to Government incorporated in new PCA Rules
Sixty per cent of the suggestions submitted by BWC to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change for their new draft rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act were incorporated in the gazetted final versions of: * Dog Breeding & Marketing Rules, 2017 * Aquarium and Fish Tank Animals Shop Rules, 2017 * Regulation of Livestock Markets Rules, 2017 * Care & Maintenance of Case Property Animals Rules, 2017
Varkh made using Leather Banned
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India via a Notification declared that Silver Leaf or Chandi-ka-warq "shall not be manufactured using any material of animal origin at any stage" after 1 August 2017. BWC spent decades investigating, creating a public awareness, and convincing the Government of India to declare that varkh must be machine-made without using leather.
Ban on Camel Slaughter
BWC supported People for Cattle in India’s PIL resulting in the Chennai High Court passing an order banning camel slaughter for religious purposes in Tamil Nadu. As per media reports no camels were killed in Chennai in September 2016. But, in response to an RTI query by PFCI, the Madurai Police said one camel had been sacrificed. The previous year about 100 camels had been sacrificed for Bakri Id in Tamil Nadu. But 2017 onwards not a single camel was brought into the state or sacrificed for Bakri Idd.
Bulbul-fights Banned
Following BWC’s complaints to the Environment Ministry officials, in January 2015, Assam banned bulbul-fights. The state also prohibited the traditional Bhogali/Magh Bihu cock and buffalo fights in compliance with a Supreme Court order.
Import and Export of Shark fins banned
BWC was glad to have been instrumental in influencing the Government of India to eventually prohibit the import of shark fins, and the export of shark fins of all species of shark in February 2015.
Beef Ban in Maharashtra
In March 2015, slaughter of cows, bulls, bullocks and calves was made illegal in Maharashtra following the Hon’ble President of India giving his assent to The Maharashtra State Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 1995. BWC helped and supported several organisations and individuals who worked on this issue for 19 years.
Veg Capsules to replace Gelatine Capsules
In July 2015, the Scientific Committee advising the Drug Controller General of India decided in principle to replace gelatine capsules with cellulose capsules. It came about as a result of BWC’s favourable campaign against the use of gelatine capsules which are derived from connective tissues, skin and bone of slaughtered animals such as cattle, horses, pigs, poultry and even fish.
No Euthanasia for Retired Army Animals
BWC wrote to the President of India who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of India, the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister and Chief of Army Staff, saying that it was morally, ethically and culturally wrong to kill Army’s dogs, horses and mules when old and unable to work. In response, the Defence Ministry assured BWC that instructions had been given for “immediate cessation of further destruction of old and worn out animals”. Then in 2017, an old-age home for these dogs was set up at the war dog training school in Meerut.
Gadhimai Temple Announcement to Stop Animal Sacrifice
In July 2015, it was a victory for animal rights activists when under pressure of a Supreme Court of Nepal injunction won on 24 November 2014 by the Nepal Animal Welfare & Research Center, the Secretary of the Gadhimai Temple Trust declared “We have decided to completely stop the practice of animal sacrifice.”
Emu Farming, etc. brought under the ambit of Ponzi Schemes
BWC campaigned against Emu farming for decades. Touted as get-rich-quick schemes, eventually resulting in big financial losses for investors, and unwanted birds being abandoned, BWC approached the Government to bring all such fraudulent projects under the ambit of Ponzi Schemes.
Scheme to raise Goats for Slaughter by school children withdrawn
After DAYA and BWC took the Kerala government and Meat Products of India to court, the state withdrew their diabolical schemes under which they sold four-month old lambs to school children and bought them back for slaughter eight months later; the other similar scheme involved five chickens being given to students.
Camel made Rajasthan State Animal
For decades BWC demanded that camels not be allowed to leave Rajasthan because they were either killed for meat or exploited for “joy rides”. Eventually, in July 2014 the camel was accorded state heritage status by the Government of Rajasthan and stopped from being slaughtered or smuggled out of the state.
India bans import of Foie Gras
In response to BWC’s request, in July 2014 the Government of India prohibited the import of Foie Gras – liver of ducks, geese or guinea fowls. Its production is extremely cruel: ducks are force fed several times a day with a funnel pushed down their throats till such time as their livers get ten times their normal size. They are then slaughtered and their diseased livers turned into a paste called Pâté de Foie Gras, consumed by gourmets. In 2009 BWC had convinced Air India, some top restaurants in Delhi and a couple of department stores not to serve or sell it.
In September 2013, BWC came across a poster inviting participation in dog races (greyhound and similar breeds) to be held at the Mohite-Patil Mahavidyalay at Malewadi, Akluj. Cruelty and gambling aspects were brought to the notice of the Police Commissioner, and the Collector, both from Sholapur District of Maharashtra, resulting in cancellation of the event.
Since then BWC has always sprung into action on getting to know of proposed Dog Races (mainly in Maharashtra) and got them stopped by approaching the District Collector, Police and Animal Husbandry Commissioner.
Dolphinariums banned
In May 2013 on grounds of cruelty and commercialisation of wildlife the Ministry of Environment & Forests eventually rejected all proposals to set up dolphinariums in India. BWC’s first appeal about this was before the dolphin park at Mahabalipuram came up – and closed when the imported dolphins and sea lions died.
70% Animals not sold for Sacrifice at Karla
Leafleting and corner meetings helped bring down numbers. Awareness created by Beauty Without Cruelty and the Sarvajeev Mangal Pratishthan during the Ekvira Devi jatra at Karla, near Lonavla, resulted in an estimated seven to eight thousand chickens and goats/sheep not being killed. (Year-on-year, as a result of our efforts, lesser animals are sacrificed.)
BWC launched a campaign against the use of pearls as a result of which ORRA (one of the world’s leading jewellers) agreed not to sell pearls in five of its stores and display the “Pearls = Pain” poster.
Plans to export Beef from India stalled
In February 2012, BWC supported Viniyog Parivar in strongly opposing the Report of the Working Group on Animal Husbandry and Dairying 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) which included the recommendation to lift the existing ban on export of beef. Obviously in response to the lakhs of objections received, a month later the Government declared the recommendation “an inadvertent clerical mistake”!
Cruelty to be Censoredin TV programmes
For years BWC approached different Government bodies and film-makers about cruel scenes involving animals – even those filmed abroad, but telecast here. It was therefore heartening that at long last the Central Board of Film Certification decided to tighten rules and plug loopholes. Next, the BCCC (Broadcasting Content Complaints Council) issued an Advisory on Depiction of Animals/Wildlife in Television Programmes to TV channels “not to produce, support the production of, purchase and broadcast content that is in any way harmful to the health and well being, as well as the depiction, or any animal or species”.
Greyhound Racing partially halted
In December 2012 as a result of our continuous personal requests to umpteen politicians, bureaucrats and others, who in turn put pressure on the Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board of India, proper support was received, following which a written assurance was given by the Director Animal Husbandry, Punjab, to the AWBI that greyhound racing at the district livestock championships would not be conducted.
A committee of the Union Ministry of Environment & Forests which inquired into the deaths of scores of elephants by electrocution and being mowed down by trains, recommended that the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 be amended so that power distribution company officials and train drivers can be punished for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. In this connection, BWC had over several years sent a number of letters to the Ministries of Environment & Forests, Railways and state governments. (Despite our suggestions being largely implemented with corrective measures being taken by the Indian Railways and the Ministry of Environment, 5 elephants were killed on railway tracks during the first half of 2014 whereas 77 had died 2007 onwards. Moreover, as many as 60 elephants were killed from 2016 to 2018 and 5 in the first half of 2019.)
Walk-through Aquarium not built
BWC successfully objected to the Pune Municipal Corporation building a Walk-through Aquarium. We listed out 8 major the cruelties involved in such a project.
The Hindi version of Compassionate Friend called Karuna-Mitra had been discontinued in 1990 within two years of beginning publication due to lack of sufficient members opting for this Hindi magazine. However, BWC re-launched it as a quarterly newsletter beginning Monsoon 2011.
BWC welcomed the Government of India Notification adding bulls as the sixth specie that “shall not be exhibited or trained as performing animals”. For decades BWC has been relentlessly opposing and demanding a ban (and now a strict implementation of the ban) on all fights, competitions and races involving bulls, like Dhirio, Jallikattu, and bullock-cart races in Maharashtra and Punjab. (The ban was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2014.)
