In a major step towards animal welfare, the District Collector of Nanded, Rahul Kardile, along with Deputy Commissioner of Animal Husbandry Dr. Rajkumar Padile, issued written orders on May 14 mandating the implementation of animal protection guidelines across the district. This comes after consistent efforts and advocacy by the ‘Dharma Donkey Sanctuary’ located in Sagroli (Tal. Biloli).
During the final day of a three-day at Krushived in Sagroli, Balaji Muttepwar of Aloor’s donkey was crowned champion among 42 competitors, claiming the top prize of Rs 5,000. This amount is specifically designated for the welfare of his winning animal. Local farmers Datta Ibitwar and Sanjay Ibitwar secured second and third places, receiving Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively, also earmarked for the care and well-being of their donkeys.
Also. BEED District Collector Avinash Pathak and Deputy Commissioner of Animal Husbandry Dr. R.D. Kadam have recently issued official orders mandating better care for working animals in Beed district, with a special focus on the Ambajogai and Parli blocks. These areas are home to over 500 brick kilns, where donkeys are widely used for heavy labor.
It is estimated that more than 1,500 donkeys work under strenuous conditions in this region, often without adequate rest, drinking water, or shelter—especially during the intense summer heat, which leads to severe dehydration and heatstroke.
Recognizing this issue, Dharma Donkey Sanctuary based in Sagroli (Nanded district), in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO), has been actively working to improve the welfare of these animals. For the past two months, the organizations have installed drinking water stations and built shaded shelters near brick kilns and public areas to provide relief to the donkeys.
As per the order, based on guidelines from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965, all animal owners and handlers must:
- Avoid making donkeys work between 12 PM to 3 PM during the peak summer heat.
- Ensure frequent access to drinking water and shaded rest areas.
- Adhere to load-carrying limits for the animals.
- Avoid continuous work exceeding five hours without rest.
These rules will benefit not only donkeys but all working animals in the district.
The Dharma Donkey Sanctuary, with support from the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO), cares for over a thousand donkeys in the region. The animals suffer greatly in summer due to heatstroke, dehydration, and lack of rest.
Trustee Abhijit Mahajan, volunteer Madhav Tate, and FIAPO’s Dr. Dinesh Mohite met the District Collector to push for this initiative. Now, animal welfare organizations, related government departments, livestock owners, and brick kiln operators are all expected to comply with the order.
