Animal Welfare Board cancels registration of 5 circuses in India, including Great Golden Circus

The Animal Welfare Board has cancelled the registration of five circuses in India over alleged violation of animal rights. The decision has come in the wake of a Delhi High Court order in this connection.

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has cancelled the registration of five circuses, namely Great Golden Circus of Ahmedabad, Asiad Circus of Kanpur, Apollo Circus of Maujpur (Delhi), Rayman Circus of Kanpur and Nataraj Circus of Kolkata over complaints of violation of animal rights. The decision follows a direction from the Delhi High Court in this connection.

The AWBI has also issued show cause notices to two circuses for gross violation and discrepancies under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001 and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Further, the AWBI requested the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying to enact appropriate legislation considering the current status of circuses under the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001.