Maharashtra: Dedicated Pet Burial Grounds to Be Set Up Across State
Maharashtra News: In a compassionate move addressing a long-overlooked concern, the Maharashtra government has issued a directive to all urban local bodies to establish dedicated pet burial grounds across the state. The policy, designed to offer dignity in death for domestic animals, mandates that municipal corporations, councils, and nagar panchayats allocate land specifically for animal burials near solid waste management facilities.
Until now, pet owners faced distressing choices, with many forced to bury their beloved animals in dumping grounds or abandon them in water bodies due to a lack of proper alternatives. This new initiative seeks to eliminate such practices, providing both emotional relief to families and resolving public health and environmental concerns.
A senior official from the Urban Development Department (UDD) explained, “For many households, pets are part of the family. It is only right that their final journey should be handled with dignity.” The designated burial sites will be set up away from human cremation grounds and must include compound walls, sanitation infrastructure, and odour-control systems. Pet owners will pay a nominal fee for using the facility.
The issue was brought to prominence in 2023 when Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik highlighted the lack of respectful burial options for pets in the state legislature. Sarnaik had pointed out that animal remains were sometimes discarded near human cremation areas, triggering religious and cultural concerns. Reacting to the new decision, he said, “The lack of a respectful burial option for animals was a long-pending issue. I am glad the government has taken a compassionate and practical step.”
निस्वार्थ प्रेमाला सन्मानाचा निरोप!
— Pratap Baburao Sarnaik (@PratapSarnaik) April 26, 2025
पाळीव प्राण्यांसाठी सशुल्क स्मशानभूमी..
अनेक वर्षांच्या पाठपुराव्याला यश…#PetCrematorium #GovernmentResolution #GR #Maharashtra #PratapSarnaik pic.twitter.com/tcv2x4K1lC
The framework for these burial grounds was finalized earlier this year. Officials emphasized that the move not only reflects the deep emotional connection between people and their pets but also supports public hygiene and safety. Municipal authorities have been instructed to identify suitable plots and complete the necessary infrastructure setup in the coming months.
Soon, residents across Maharashtra will have access to designated, sanitized spaces to lay their furry companions to rest — a measure that brings dignity, comfort, and responsible governance together.
