India’s first MA in animal protection laws: Animal Law Centre is creating changemakers for animals in India

India has a rich tradition of compassion and kindness towards animals. In fact, India is the first place in the world to have a codified law for animal protection. The great king Ashoka (304–232 BC) is the first known king to officially make the welfare of animals a central tenet of his administration, and his rock edicts are the first to articulate basic rights for animals.

As our understanding of science, law and welfare increases, we are forced to recognise just how interconnected the welfare of humans and animals are. India’s animal protection sector is rapidly growing both in importance and size, giving rise to a demand for talent capable of representing the needs of the most vulnerable – animals. To meet the need for trained professionals in this growing field, NALSAR University of Law’s Animal Law Centre launched India’s first M.A. in Animal Protection Laws this year. This two-year course aims to equip students with knowledge on the legal aspects of animal protection – training them in India’s vast animal protection legislation including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Launched in 2017, the Animal Law Centre was established in collaboration between NALSAR University of Law and Humane Society International/India – an animal protection organization. It offered India’s first P.G. Diploma in Animal Protection Laws in 2019, garnering interest from animal lovers, activists, and professionals in the animal protection sector. The M.A. program is the latest addition to the centre’s, now Advanced Diploma.

Not only does the M.A. program cater to creating experts, be it lawyers or other professionals in varied sectors, specializing in India’s and Internationally recognized animal laws, but it is also of interest to individuals seeking to make a difference in their communities. From learning the FIR process to fighting cases of cruelty, to NGO compliance, funding, and how to work with government bodies, the course empowers individuals to utilize the legal process in existence to strengthen the fight for animals. An alumnus of the previous PGD program, Radhika Rao, said “The program has helped me understand the framework that our government runs by when it comes to animal protection and conservation. I particularly enjoyed writing my exams as it wholly encompassed the laws put down for wildlife and animal protection and the questions compelled me to think and use both practical as well theoretical knowledge. The course has instilled confidence in my endeavour to work for the betterment of animals in the conservation field. I am the co-founder of a collective that advocates for bio-diversity conservation and work in the education space for the same and understanding animal rights and how they came about will surely help me bring change and enlighten more people about how everyone can work together to create a better world for animals, armed with sufficient knowledge of the law.”

The course does not require a background in legal education. The minimum requirements are for candidates to hold a bachelor’s, or an equivalent degree, from a recognized college or university. As a distance learning course, the program can be pursued from anywhere in the country – making it accessible to all interested in being changemakers for animals.

The M.A./Advanced Diploma in Animal Protection Laws is open for applications until the 15th of September, 2021. Students enrolled in the course will get round the clock access to reading materials, presentations and video lectures on an online platform developed specifically for the course. The faculty of the program is comprised of experts established in the field like Gauri Maulekhi, trustee of People for Animals, and Alokparna Sengupta, managing director of Humane Society International/India. This batch has the rare opportunity to pick the best minds in the field from the comfort of their own homes.

Career prospects range from taking up full-time legal practice in the field of animal laws, working in allied NGOs for animal welfare, working in public policy and research think tanks focused on animal protection, and so on.

It was previously unimagined to have a course catering specifically to animal laws in India. But given India’s vast animal protection legislation, it makes more sense than not for universities to now recognize the need – to empower individuals to protect the most vulnerable factions of society.

To apply and for more information on NALSAR’s M.A. in Animal Protection Laws :

http://nalsarpro.org/Courses/2-Year-MA-Programme-on-offer/Animal-Protection-Laws/About-the-Programme

To apply and for more information on NALSAR’s Advanced Diploma in Animal Protection Laws :

http://nalsarpro.org/Courses/One-Year-Advanced-Diploma-Programme-on-offer/Animal-Protection-Laws/About-the-programme