The Gujarat government has imposed an immediate ban on the manufacture, sale, storage and use of glue traps, also known as sticky boards, that are commonly used to catch rats and other small animals.
The Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Cooperation Department issued a notification stating that glue traps cause extreme suffering to animals and birds. Once trapped, they often sustain serious injuries while trying to escape and may die slowly due to hunger, thirst, suffocation or severe wounds.
The government said the use of glue traps violates Section 11(1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The Animal Welfare Board of India has also declared the use of such traps to be inhuman and illegal.
Following the ban, the Industries and Mines Department has directed that glue traps be removed from the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal as well as other e-commerce and online platforms.
All government departments, boards, corporations and local self-government bodies have also been prohibited from purchasing or using these traps.The government has warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found violating the ban.
Cases can be registered under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have been authorised to register complaints and enforce the ban.