| Program Description |
2-YEAR M.A. (ANIMAL PROTETCION LAWS)
About the Programme
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Animals for all intents and purposes have been seen as means to an end without any consideration or value unto themselves. However, current events unfolding across the world reiterate how closely the welfare of all living beings is interconnected. An anthropocentric approach to law, society and governance is not effective and the repercussions of such a system have devastating effects on the environment, public health, human rights and animal life.
In order to build a more equitable world for all, we must examine how the legal system impacts welfare as a whole. Animal law is an imperative area of learning for all individuals working in furtherance of a more just, compassionate and equitable country and world.
“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, criminal law, civil laws, 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. It caters to those who want to specialize in theory and practice of animal laws in India and international law relevant to animal protection. 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 will also be well-equipped to handle practical challenges faced on the ground with respect to cruelty towards animals, policy development and litigation in matters regarding animals.
The curriculum of the programme is tailor-made to meet the professional needs of animal protection activists, lawyers or anyone in the animal protection space. It includes education on legal aspects in relation to the welfare and rights of animals so that the trained professionals are well equipped to deal with legal issues. Anyone 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 this programme is that it covers a comprehensive understanding of animal laws across the world by intervening ethical issues within legal discourses. The course would include operational aspects of animal laws by imparting technical legal 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.
The course is designed with a interdisciplinary and intersectional background with the awareness that legal, social, cultural, political and economic aspects 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 wish to improve the lives of all living beings. This course aims to help individuals effectively show compassion and uphold their fundamental duties, enshrined in the Constitution of India under Article 51A(g).
This course is designed to be flexible and holistic to ensure that it can accommodate all citizens, from a plethora of different backgrounds. Those interested in the course may already be involved in activism, or in an allied sector (like public policy, environmental welfare, human rights, public health etc.), or wish to carry out work in this space after the completion of the course.
The course is appropriate for individuals who are interested in making a career around policy development, academic research, litigation, or working with an NGO.
It also aims to train any public official (including individuals in legal enforcement or justice) who might knowingly or unknowingly be major stakeholders with power to impact animal law or it’s enforcement.
Lastly this course is also helpful to individuals who want to make a difference for animals in their personal lives or at a grassroot level. The course provides such individuals with the information and tools to detect the legality of acts towards animals, ways to report acts of animal cruelty, amplify animal welfare issues, and support other local bodies and organisations with their animal protection work.
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| Admission & entry requirements |
Eligibility
a. Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree in any discipline from any recognized University; or
b. Candidates appearing for the final year examination of Graduation / Engineering are also eligible to apply.
c. Lateral Admission for the Advanced Diploma Candidates:
Candidates who have completed the One Year Advanced Diploma in Animal Protection Laws at NALSAR are also eligible for admission to the second year. In such cases, the candidates needs to surrender the Advanced Diploma in Animal Protection Laws Certificate awarded by NALSAR, after completion of the M.A. Programme, to be entitled for award of the Degree of M.A. (Animal Protection Laws) at NALSAR. The candidates should exercise this option within a maximum period of two years from the date of their admission to the Advanced Diploma
The candidates enrolled for the Advanced Diploma Programme can enroll for the M.A. Programme within two years from the date of their admission, even though they have not completed the Advanced Diploma.
The lateral admission to the M.A. Programme will be offered only when the subjects and the syllabus offered for the First Year of M.A. Programme are similar to that of the subjects and the syllabus offered in the said Advanced Diploma Programme.
In any case, lateral admission will be offered subject to fulfilment of the eligibility criteria for the M.A. Programme.
Admission Procedure
Direct Admission subject to fulfilment of the eligibility criteria.
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