Gujarat High Court Issues Notice To Animal Welfare Board In State-Wide Glue Trap Ban Suit
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Gujarat High Court has issued a formal notice to the Animal Welfare Board of India, directing the body to file its response in an ongoing public interest matter concerning the prohibition of glue traps used for rodents and other small animals. During the hearing in Ahmedabad on Friday, 31 July, the Gujarat government submitted an official affidavit detailing state-wide compliance measures, revealing that authorities have already registered 37 FIRs against vendors continuing to sell the banned traps.
The submission follows earlier judicial directives urging the administration to halt the manufacture, sale, and usage of glue traps, which cause prolonged and cruel deaths to trapped creatures.
State Directs Municipalities And Police To Enforce Strict Ban
According to the state government's affidavit, explicit instructions prohibiting glue traps have been issued to all municipal commissioners, police commissioners, municipal corporations, and local nagarpalikas across Gujarat. The enforcement is actively monitored by the Gujarat State Animal Welfare Board, which has been holding high-level meetings to track implementation across various districts.
District Collectors have also issued binding notifications against the sale of glue traps, with local administration and law enforcement teams initiating criminal proceedings against violators. The registration of 37 FIRs marks the state's initial wave of direct enforcement against commercial vendors and traders defying the ban.
High Court Questions Rule-Making Authority; Government Points To Centre
During the proceedings, the High Court bench questioned state counsel on whether specific statutory rules or administrative regulations had been framed to permanently eliminate glue trap manufacturing and sales. Addressing the court's query, the state government clarified its jurisdictional boundaries under the framework of animal welfare legislation:
- Central Mandate: Rules regarding animal cruelty are framed directly by the Union Government under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals framework.
- State Execution: The state government holds executive authority to enforce central mandates and directives, rather than independent rule-making power.
Taking note of the submissions, the High Court bench impleaded the Animal Welfare Board as a party to the suit, directing the central body to submit its response regarding national guidelines. The court has further instructed the state government to present a comprehensive follow-up report outlining the concrete outcomes of its ongoing compliance drive.
