PETA India, Animal Welfare Groups Stage Awareness Campaign on Veganism in Hyderabad
Marking World Food Day and World Vegetarian Awareness Month, three participants painted as a tiger, zebra and giraffe held placards reading “Eating Meat Contributes to Species Extinction – Try Vegan” and “Forests Are Destroyed for Meat Production – Go Vegan”.
The campaign highlighted the environmental impact of animal agriculture, which the organisers said contributes to habitat destruction, biodiversity loss and species extinction.
They also pointed to the use of agricultural land to grow crops for livestock rather than for direct human consumption.
Apeksha Tamane, Campaigns Coordinator at PETA India, said forests were being cleared to raise animals for meat, eggs and dairy and to grow feed crops, threatening wildlife habitats and contributing to climate change.
She urged people to adopt vegan diets as a way to reduce the environmental impact of food production.
According to figures cited by the organisers, domesticated animals account for about 59 to 62 per cent of the world’s mammal biomass, while humans account for 34 to 36 per cent and wild mammals for only four to five per cent.
The statement also cited research published in Biodiversity Conservation linking meat consumption to threats to plant and animal life, particularly in regions rich in unique species.
It attributed an estimated 18 per cent of annual greenhouse gas emissions to the meat, egg and dairy industries.
The organisers further highlighted concerns over food security, stating that large proportions of global soybean and corn production are used as animal feed.
They cited a Global Food Policy Report warning that more than nine crore Indians could face hunger by 2030.
The campaign also drew attention to India’s long tradition of meat-free eating and urged people to consider vegan diets, which exclude meat, eggs and dairy products.
PETA India said adopting vegan diets could help reduce environmental impacts and animal suffering. The organisation also cited potential health benefits associated with plant-based eating.
TNT TS
