It is a statutory, advisory body established under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
It is within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
It ensures implementation of the animal welfare laws in the country and provides grants to animal welfare organizations and advice the Centre, States and UTs on animal welfare issues.
As per the Act, the Board comprises of 28 Members including 6 MPs (4 from Lok Sabha and 2 from Rajya Sabha) with the term of 3 years.
It is headquartered at Ballabhgarh in Haryana.
Last year, the government has notified that the board will be permanently chaired by senior official from the ministry of environment.
Recently, the board has issued directives to all the state departments to save stray animals from cruelty.
Thus, the responsibility of protecting stray animals is given to state departments. Previously it was the responsibility of cow shelters and animal activists.
The board does not have the right to prescribe punishments or fines for violations of the PCA Act but can pursue legal action.
