Animal Welfare Fortnight 2010 launched

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is organising the rally, which will move through Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.

The rally was flagged off by Environment Secretary Vijai Sharma. Rally participants will distribute publications on animal welfare and animal laws. They will also provide free treatment to sick and injured animals through their mobile veterinary clinic. AWBI chairman R M Kharb said: "We want people to know about animal protection laws and generate awareness about the animal welfare schemes of the ministry." In 1964, AWBI's founder chairperson Rukmini Devi Arundale had started the practice of holding an animal welfare fortnight every year.