Animal Protection in the Constitution of India
| Authority | Provision |
| PART IV: DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY, 48: Organisation of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and 48A: Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life |
Per 48, the Constitution requires the State to “take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter, of cows and calves in other milch and draught cattle.” Per 48A, the Constitution places a duty on the State to “endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.” Per List III, Both Parliament and the legislature have the authority to make laws on the following: “[p]revention of cruelty to animals,” “protection of wild animals and birds,” “[p]revention of the extension from one State to another of infectious or contagious diseases or pests affecting men, animals or plants.” |
| PART IVA: FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES, 51A (g): Fundamental Duties | Per 51A, the Constitution places a duty on every citizen to “protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.” |
| SEVENTH SCHEDULE: (Article 246), List II: State List and List III: Concurrent List | Per List II, the Legislative Assembly is given the authority to make laws on the following: “[p]reservation, protection and improvement of stock and prevention of animal diseases; veterinary training and practice…” |
| ELEVENTH SCHEDULE (Article 243G) | Per the Eleventh Schedule, the Constitution provides that Panchayat (local self government) may make laws on the following: “[a]nimal husbandry, dairying and poultry”, and fisheries. |
| TWELFTH SCHEDULE: (Article 243W) | Per the Twelfth Schedule, Municipalities may undertake certain duties pertaining to the regulation of slaughterhouses and tanneries. |