| Program Description |
ONE YEAR ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS
About the Programme
Human dependence on animals, in this vein, is a matter charted in history since civilization began, with humans and a plethora of species adapting with each other to share a common space on the planet. However, with the changes in development standards across the world, human choices and incumbent behaviour have overlooked the impact it has on the environment and its dependent beings.
“Animal law," includes in its aegis the issues that affect humans and animals alike and enfolds the concepts of “animal welfare,” and “animal rights.” One of the fastest growing fields of legal practice, animal law may involve issues of constitutional law, administrative law, environmental law, consumer protection law, etc. The unifying factor within this field of practice is its underlying substance of the matter which addresses the interests of animals themselves.
Through this program NALSAR aims to create experts be it lawyers or other professionals in allied sectors catering and specializing in the legal aspects of animal laws in India, as well as, internationally recognised laws. Our course participants would not only have a sound and strong foundation on legal and jurisprudential patterns of animals rights and animal welfare issues but also will be well-equipped to handle practical and contemporary aspects and challenges faced on the ground, with respect to cruelty towards animals, policy development and litigation in ancillary matters regarding animals.
The curriculum of the programme is tailor-made to meet the professional needs of animal protection activists, lawyers or any one in the animal protection space. It includes education on legal aspects in relation to the rights of animals so that the trained professionals are well equipped to deal with legal issues. Any individual with the motivation to learn about the nuances of animal laws can perform this role in the form of an animal law professional who can serve in the capacities of public interest lawyer, animal rights activist or even a compassionate citizen.
The unique advantage of the above programme is the comprehensive understanding of animal laws across the world- the challenges and issues faced in ethics and moral values intertwined within legal discourses. The course would include its operational aspects, legal understanding and technical knowledge with a special focus on catering to the contemporary developments in the field of animal welfare and rights.
The primary focus of the course is to garner the substance and principles of existing Indian laws as it addresses animals, to understand the links between cruelty to animals and violent, delinquent, and criminal behaviour and to acquire legal knowledge to adequately prosecute animal cruelty cases. The aim is to assess the possibilities of using various legal concepts and tools to manage human-animal interactions and create rights for the animals.
Legal aspects and developments in the animal protection movement are so closely entwined that a study of one aspect is incomplete without the study of the other.
The programme aims to meet the needs of citizens who are compassionate for animals and feel the need to act for the welfare of animals or to establish/ protect their rights. The course is designed in a flexible manner so as to accommodate citizens who may already be involved in activism to protect animals or those plan to do so after the course. The course will be appropriate for individuals who are interested in making a career around policy development, research institutes or litigation. It is also targeted towards any citizen who is compassionate towards animals, but feel helpless due to resistance from the police, lawyers and judges to take cognizance of the problem and give equal importance to animal law related cases as contrasted with other cases. It also aims to train any public official (police or anybody involved in the justice delivery system in India) who might knowingly or unknowingly be major stakeholders in the Animal Law regime.
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