eShe TV: Animal welfare crusaders Alokparna Sengupta and Keren Nazareth

Despite India’s history of compassion towards all living creatures, the human-animal conflict is getting worse with more urban development and human activity in areas otherwise occupied by wildlife.

From animal attacks in rural areas to the issue of stray animals jostling for space with humans on city streets, there are no longer any straightforward solutions when it comes to creating a peaceful coexistence of man and beast. That’s where the work of organisations such as Humane Society International (HSI) becomes all the more relevant.

An NGO present in 50 countries, HSI is working to promote the human-animal bond. It also takes up issues related to farm-animal welfare, protection of wildlife, and promotion of animal-free testing and research.

In this episode of eShe TV, editor Aekta Kapoor talks to two representatives from HSI about the current situation when it comes to animal welfare in India. They share their challenges as activists creating awareness about wildlife protection and farm-animal wellbeing, and also share solutions for tackling the growing number of street dogs in Indian cities.

Alokparna Sengupta, managing director, HSI India, has been working in this field for the past 15 years, and has written extensively on animal-welfare issues. She has been part of several government and scientific committees to bring in animal friendly policies in India.

Always passionate about animal welfare since her younger years, Alokparna initially joined HSI India as part of its campaign to promote animal-free testing. “In 2013 and 2014, we were able to convince the government of India to not only ban animal testing but also ban the import of cosmetics that were tested on animals,” she shares.

Keren Nazareth, senior director for the street-dog programme of HSI India, was also committed to the cause of animals since childhood. “I was one of those kids who used to bring home stray puppies from off the street because I thought that’s what you’re supposed to do,” she narrates, adding that the cause of street dogs was always close to her heart.

Keren now has several years of experience of resolving stray animal conflicts in Asia and Africa, and has also worked extensively in community mobilisation including pioneering work in non-traditional livelihoods for women and marginalised communities.

This episode is also available as a podcast: