Step towards cruelty-free Pilgrimages: DAHD’s Guidelines for the Welfare and Management of Working Equines

On 27-8-2025, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying released the Guidelines for the Welfare and Management of Working Equines during Religious Pilgrimages in India to ensure safety of pilgrims, well-being of working equines, and support local administrative and veterinary authorities with actionable protocols.

Need:

1. A significant number of equines horses, donkeys, and mules are employed during religious journeys in high- altitude/ mountainous regions, such as Amarnath Yatra, Char Dham Yatra, Vaishnodevi Yatra, Manimahesh Yatra.

2. The working equines provide essential transport services to pilgrims and carry supplies under challenging environmental and physical conditions.

Hence, in compliance with Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and to uphold the principles of humane treatment it is important to implement uniform, enforceable standards for the registration, health management, acclimatization, and working conditions of these equines.

All you need to know about the Guidelines:

1. Enforcement of Animal Welfare Norms:

   • Maximum Walking Distance per day-20 km;

   • Load limit- 80-90kg (horse/ mules); 50kg (ponies); 25kg (donkeys);

   • No overnight movement;

   • Injured/ pregnant/ sick equines not to be used;

   • Necessary to remove harness and take adequate halts;

   • No spiked/ harsh equipment/ heavy ornaments to be used.

2. State Animal Welfare Boards will have to ensure that the registration, health screening under Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been done and publish the weekly reports on its official website. It also has to assist in building and managing infirmary and shelter planning.

3. The following Rules have to be strictly followed:

   • Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animal Act, 2009;

   • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Licensing of Farriers) Rules, 1965;

   • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Draught and Pack Animals) Rules, 1965.

4. Registration and Health Certification:

   • Mandatory registration with State Animal Department;

   • Necessary tagging and microchipping of all equines;

   • Examinations to be done- health examination, testing for Glanders and Equine Influenza, endurance and altitude fitness test.

   • Mandatory to have a valid certificate from State Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

5. Acclimatization Requirements: minimum of 1 week period prior to deployment.

6. Track Capacity and Safety: equine deployment not to exceed 30-40 animals per kilometer.

7. Infrastructure for Equine Welfare:

   • Infirmaries to established with bio secure waste disposal mechanism;

   • Sheds to be constructed with weather protection, water, fodder, lighting, and segregation.

   • Necessary to provide warm water every 5kms on the tracks along with jaggery and minimal feed and salt licks.

8. Veterinary Check-posts and Monitoring:

   • Posts will be made at every 5kms;

   • It will be staffed with veterinarian and paraprofessional personnel and medicines including IV fluids and designated place for treatment with provision of trevis and rest shed wherever possible;

   • Mandatory unsaddling and inspection;

   • Provision of life-saving medicine and basic care equipment.

9. Insurance and Regulation:

   • Insurance of all working equines;

   • Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to prevent overuse and abuse; no equine should operate without insurance.

10. Movement Protocols and Convoy System:

    • Convoys will be of maximum 5 to 20 equines which can be deployed of at least 10 minutes gap;

    • Movement is speed is restricted to 3 to 4 km per hour.

11. Disease Management and Control:

    • Mandatory Testing of Glanders and Equine Influenza;

    • Surveillance and quarantine for notifiable diseases;

    • Mandatory to follow national treatment guidelines during outbreaks;

    • Enforce movement restrictions and implement strategic vaccination;

    • Strengthen coordination between veterinary, law enforcement, and health authorities.

12. Vaccination Schedule:

    • A pre- season vaccination calendar has to be prepared by the State;

    • Vaccination for tetanus, rabies and equine influenza to be provided;

    • Vaccinations must be completed at least 21 days prior to deployment;

13. Establishment of Diagnostic Laboratory: Each State Animal Husbandry Department must identify a logistically feasible location to establish/ designate a dedicated diagnostic laboratory for equine diseases.

14. Monitoring and Data Management:

    • Recording of disease outbreak/ confirmed outbreak needs to be recorded;

    • Track maps and lengths;

    • Keep a track number of equines per track;

    • Track number of injuries, deaths, and cruelty cases on daily basis;

    • Reports to be submitted by State Animal Husbandry Department to the District Magistrate and State Animal Welfare Board.

15. Training Sessions:

    • There will be a training session for all veterinarians and para-vets before the Yatra season especially for treatment guidelines and disaster response.

    • It is mandatory to have at least 1 trained veterinarian in every team in the management on Yatra.

Hence, these guidelines provide a standardized and compassionate framework for the use of equines during religious and tourism- related journeys in India, safeguarding both animal welfare and public safety.