Gandhinagar, Aug 4 (IANS) The Gujarat government has imposed an immediate statewide ban on the production, sale, storage and use of glue traps, commonly known as sticky boards, used to catch rats and other small animals, making the devices illegal across the state as part of a move to prevent cruelty to animals.
The decision was announced through a resolution issued by the state’s Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Cooperation Department.
The ban applies to the manufacture, sale, purchase, storage and use of glue traps with immediate effect.
Glue traps are coated with a highly adhesive, non-drying substance that immobilises animals and birds on contact.
According to the government, trapped animals often sustain serious injuries while attempting to escape and may eventually die from starvation, dehydration, suffocation or injuries caused during their struggle.
The government said the use of glue traps violates Section 11(1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. It also noted that the Animal Welfare Board of India has classified the use of glue traps as highly cruel and illegal under its guidelines.
In a parallel measure, the Industries and Mines Department has directed that glue traps be removed with immediate effect from the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) procurement portal as well as from other e-commerce and online platforms.
The order also prohibits all government departments, boards, corporations and local self-government bodies from purchasing or using the devices.
The resolution warns that any violation of the ban may attract legal action under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with any other applicable provisions of law.
District Police authorities and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have been authorised to register complaints and initiate action against those found violating the prohibition.
The government has directed traders to immediately stop stocking and selling glue traps, as their production, sale, purchase and storage are now prohibited.
It has also advised members of the public not to use glue traps for rodent control in homes, offices or factories.
Instead, citizens have been encouraged to adopt legally approved and animal-friendly alternatives, including cage traps and other non-lethal rodent control methods, in place of adhesive traps.
–IANS
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