India Mandates 'Be Kind to Animals' Slogan on Public Transport to Promote Animal Welfare

New Delhi- In a significant move to promote animal welfare and road safety for animals, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a directive to all states and union territories to display the slogan "Be Kind to Animals" on public transport vehicles. The decision, effective from April 1, aims to foster compassion towards animals and ensure their safety on roads.

The directive, dated February 25, references Article 51A (g) of the Indian Constitution, which emphasizes the fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment, including wildlife, and to show compassion for living creatures.

The ministry also cited the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, as key legislative frameworks supporting this initiative.

In India, roughly 300,000 animals are killed or injured in road accidents each year. This includes a variety of animals, such as deer, leopards, tigers, and elephants. 

According to the notification, the slogan "Be Kind to Animals" or its equivalent in Hindi (पशुओं पर दया करो) or regional languages must be prominently displayed on the exterior of all public transport vehicles.

The characters of the slogan should be at least 150 mm in height to ensure visibility. States have the flexibility to choose the font color based on the color of their transport vehicles, and the slogan can be applied either as paint or a sticker.

A spiritual leader from Jain commununity, Dr. Shraman Pushpendra, highlighted that this initiative is part of the government's broader efforts to raise awareness about animal welfare. "The goal is to sensitize citizens towards the protection of animals, whether stray or domestic, and to encourage safer road practices that prevent harm to animals," he said.

The ministry has instructed all state transport departments, transport commissioners, and relevant authorities to implement the directive effectively. The move has been welcomed by animal rights activists and animal welfare organizations which sees it as a step forward in promoting kindness and reducing cruelty towards animals.

With this new rule, commuters across the country will soon see a strong message advocating animal welfare on buses and other public transport vehicles. The government hopes that this visual reminder will inspire greater empathy and responsibility among citizens, ultimately contributing to a safer and more compassionate environment for animals.

The directive has been issued with the approval of the competent authority, and states have been given until April 1, 2025, to comply with the new guidelines.