Yearly, devoted travellers set out on pilgrimage routes in bustling, picturesque landscapes of the nation, some on foot, some on the again of equines. 1000’s of equines — horses, mules, and donkeys — are burdened not solely by their heavy masses but in addition by exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition. Within the holy air, the place one seeks peace, these sentient beings combat their silent battles in opposition to neglect and cruelty.
“A very distressing incident involves my thoughts: two horses, pulling a cart, collapsed from sheer exhaustion close to Dehradun. As a substitute of empathy, their proprietor resorted to determined measures. He lit paper close to their noses to induce panic and pressure them again to work. Such is the plight of those weary travellers, working getting ready to demise simply to outlive one other day,” shares Gauri Maulekhi with The Higher India.
She additional highlights that the plight of equines on pilgrimage routes presents a difficult and heartbreaking state of affairs. “About 40,000 to 50,000 equines are used on widespread pilgrimage routes, similar to Chardham and Vaishno Devi, the place they face neglect and abuse.”
In her phrases, “dying out of exhaustion is the worst form of demise,” and her endeavours attempt to eradicate such inhumane practices.
A torchbearer of animal compassion, when Gauri learnt in regards to the incident and struggling, she couldn’t stand idly. Pushed by empathy and dedication, she approached the state of affairs with a strategic resolve that promised change.
She didn’t simply converse up; she took motion. Taking her combat to the authorized system, she caught the attention of the Uttarakhand Excessive Courtroom. From there, she pushed tirelessly for change, serving to set a precedent for a way equines must be handled. Greater than only a protestor, she needed to make it possible for these animals have been getting the care they deserved.
She arrange the only equine sanctuary in Uttarakhand to supply refuge to disabled, injured, and deserted animals. “Collaborating with native administrations, we ensured that solely wholesome, registered equines serve these routes, and that efficient criticism programs are in place the place beforehand there have been none,” she provides.
Gauri’s work will not be merely about rescue and rehabilitation; it’s about restoring dignity to the lives of equines, and reminding the world that compassion should lengthen to all beings.
Past rescue: campaigns that change the established order
It was in the course of the late Nineteen Nineties when younger Gauri confronted a profound private tragedy that set her on this transformative journey. It was the premature demise of her beloved pet because of the lack of accessible veterinary care that opened her eyes to the world of animal welfare.
This heart-wrenching expertise, alongside together with her craving to do one thing bigger than life, planted the seed for what would turn out to be a lifelong dedication to the unvoiced residents of our planet.
She’s not simply pushed by emotion. She’s standing as much as apathy and ignorance, the quiet the reason why so many animals are nonetheless struggling.
Beginning her journey as a volunteer, Gauri’s preliminary steps have been exploratory relatively than decisive. Over 18 years, she juggled numerous careers — from instructing to radio jockeying, from software program to theatre — however at all times returning to the common-or-garden shelter the place her earnings discovered a significant finish.
It didn’t occur in a single day. It was a sluggish construct the place a collection of small however significant wins for animals led her to begin Individuals for Animals, Uttarakhand in 2012. For her, it wasn’t nearly rescue work. She needed to deal with the larger points too, like outdated beliefs and damaged programs that saved animals in danger.
“Earlier than our interventions, Uttarakhand was marred by unchecked animal sadism — over a lakh animals have been sacrificed yearly in temple rituals, animal contraception was non-existent, and the forest division lacked even a single veterinarian. By constructing alliances with the federal government and judicial programs, we arrange wildlife rescue centres and animal contraception centres,” she factors out.
Her method is strategic whereas being rooted in compassion. Via coaching law enforcement officials, directors, and veterinary officers, she equips the state equipment to deal with animal welfare with empathy and effectivity.
“We emphasise a collaborative method and work intently with officers to enhance circumstances on the bottom. This has included deploying a group to help with well being checks and guaranteeing that solely registered, wholesome equines are allowed to serve on pilgrimage routes. Such collaborations be sure that our methods outlast a direct involvement and create a sustainable affect construction,” she provides.
Dr Satish Joshi, Chief Veterinary Officer of Dehradun, has been pivotal in advancing animal welfare in Uttarakhand with Gauri’s assist for 20 years. “Their coaching included an in-depth understanding of the Animal Husbandry Act, the Animal Cruelty Act, and the mandatory documentation for enforcement,” he says. In India, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 addresses cruelty in the direction of equines, encompassing numerous types of animal abuse.
Dr Satish, continues to share, “I used to be stationed in Vikas Nagar the place energetic cooperation with the police and administration was vital resulting from frequent circumstances of animal rights infringements. As veterinarians, having full details about regulatory procedures has been important. The assist we acquired from Gauri was important in guaranteeing that operations have been carried out legally and respectfully.”
Dr Satish says the federal government’s function is of paramount significance as they conduct illness surveillance, random sampling for equine influenza and glanders, and supply requisite remedies. “Regardless of the challenges, notably in areas like Kedarnath and Yamunotri, our veterinary officers, alongside Gauri’s group, maintain commendable efforts to safeguard animal welfare. Our group in Uttarakhand’s Animal Husbandry Division stays devoted and expert, usually overcoming immense obstacles to ship important care,” he provides.
A scarcity of expert advocates led to the inception of the AHIMSA Fellowship, a programme designed to coach the subsequent era of animal welfare consultants. The fellowship not solely imparts authorized information however emphasises experiential studying and strategic communication with governments and industries.
This eight-month fellowship stands out by coaching people in their very own states, empowering them with expertise to deal with native points whereas collaborating with a nationwide community of mentors and consultants.
Delhi-based Sanna Singh, who has been dedicated to animal welfare since 2019, was a part of 2023-24 cohort. Sharing her expertise, Sanna says, “The fellowship begins with on-line periods adopted by in-depth, in-person workshops, offering contributors with complete information of animal welfare legal guidelines and techniques to affect coverage adjustments. I learnt to leverage my expertise to work with authorities authorities, tackling large-scale points inside the dairy and pig industries.”
The fellowship isn’t nearly studying principle. It provides fellows hands-on initiatives and actual assignments they will work on in their very own areas. This fashion, they’re doing extra than simply theoretical studying. As a substitute, they’re making an actual affect from the beginning. And the most effective half? The work doesn’t cease when the fellowship ends. Similar to Sanna, many proceed pushing for change lengthy after this system, serving to enhance lives for numerous animals.
“I first bought concerned in animal welfare round 2019, within the preliminary section of the COVID-19 pandemic, pushed by a longstanding ardour for the social sector. For me, it felt like a calling. The AIMSA Fellowship allowed me to take this ardour additional by offering the fitting mentorship and path,” she says.
“Previous to this, my efforts have been centered on rescuing particular person animals like cats and canines. Nonetheless, the fellowship has empowered me to work on a a lot bigger scale, influencing insurance policies that may enhance the lives of numerous animals. It taught me the significance of understanding and leveraging legal guidelines, and though the method requires endurance, the potential for lasting affect is important,” she provides.
As a part of the fellowship, 59 fellows have been skilled to work in animal safety sectors. As per their data, about lives of fifty lakh animals have been impacted, over 5,000 govt officers sensitised, and at the least 50,000 volunteers have been skilled in different coaching periods.
Whereas these stats counsel that the affect is important, Guari views this as merely “scratching the floor”. Her aspirations transcend rescue and rehabilitation; she envisions a paradigm shift in how society perceives animal welfare.
Commenting on the distressing incident of these two horses close to Dehradun, Gauri says: “They now stay with us, completely satisfied and wholesome, nonetheless sustaining their shut bond with each other. Nonetheless, many such equines expertise demise by exhaustion, which is unimaginably merciless and akin to being labored to demise — a destiny no being deserves.”
“However that is the grim actuality for a lot of of those animals, and there are far too few that I can personally help. Subsequently, we conceptualised the Fellowship to increase this assist and consciousness throughout the globe, reaching everybody with the facility to make a distinction,” she urges.
Edited by Saumya Singh; All pictures courtesy: Individuals for Animals, Uttarakhand & PFA-PPF
