Animal rights activist Pankaj Vatsal has been nominated as an honorary State Animal Welfare Officer by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
He will coordinate with concerned departments of the State Government and AWBI District Animal Welfare Officers and will look after all the animal welfare matters in Jharkhand and function on prevention of cruelty to animals. He will take care of animal welfare enforcement, humane education on the issues in the State and provide inputs to AWBI. He will also advise and help the animal lovers, animal welfare organisations and State administration.
He has been entrusted to entertain the complaints received from animal lovers and also routed by AWBI in particular and report the action taken to the Board. He may also conduct inspections on the direction of AWBI wherever needed in the State along with respective Honorary District Animal Welfare Officer and other AWBI nominees and representatives.
As communicated by AWBI Chairman SP Gupta in nomination letter on September 10), Vatsal will work for 12 districts of the state viz Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Lohardaga, Gumla, Ramgarh, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Saraikela-Kharsawan, Palamu, Garhwa and Latehar.
As an executive member of Jharkhand Go Seva Pariwar and trustee of Tirthankar Mahaveer Trust, Ramji Mishra Manohar Media Foundation and Adhyatm Foundation, vatsal has been working for animal love and compassion and vegetarianism for the last several years.