Primary law, Tamil Nadu land law
The Tamil Nadu Animals and Birds in Urban Areas (Control and Regulation) Act, 1997
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly enacted Act No. 46 of 1997, which received the President's assent on 11 August 1997 and was published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary. It regulates, licenses or prohibits the keeping and movement of notified animals and birds in urban areas to protect public health and sanitation. The document notes that Act 33 of 1999 is appended as an amendment, but the supplied text does not set out its changes.
What the Act governs
The Tamil Nadu Animals and Birds in Urban Areas (Control and Regulation) Act, 1997 applies across Tamil Nadu. It came into force at once in the City of Chennai and applies in other urban areas from dates appointed by the State Government through notification.
An urban area includes the City of Chennai and may include a municipal corporation, municipality, town panchayat or industrial township declared by notification. Contiguous areas may also be included. A cantonment cannot be declared an urban area under the Act.
The Act concerns animals and birds listed in its Schedule and specified by the State Government through notification. After three months from such a notification, a person cannot keep a notified animal or bird in the relevant urban area without a licence.
Who may be affected
The Act may affect owners or occupiers of premises where notified animals or birds are kept or proposed to be kept. It is relevant to property buyers and owners if a stable, shed or other animal keeping facility exists on the property, or if the property is within an urban area or prohibited area declared by the State Government.
Main licensing requirements
When deciding whether to grant or renew a licence, the Licensing Officer must consider:
- The number of licensed notified animals or birds already kept in the area.
- Whether the premises and neighbourhood are suitable.
- Public health conditions, including drinking water, washing, cleaning, waste disposal and sanitation.
- Arrangements for rearing calves or young birds.
- Arrangements for maintaining animals or birds during dry periods.
A licence may be suspended or cancelled for breach of the Act, applicable rules or licence conditions. The licence holder must first receive an opportunity to show cause, and reasons must be recorded in writing.
Prohibited areas and enforcement
The State Government may declare all or part of an urban area a prohibited area in the public interest. Key consequences include:
- No new licence may be granted there.
- Existing licences are cancelled after six months or when their remaining period expires, whichever is earlier.
- Notified animals and birds must be removed within that period.
- Bringing or keeping them in the prohibited area is barred, subject to permitted transit or prescribed purposes.
Authorised officers may inspect premises at reasonable times. Notified animals or birds may be seized if they are straying, kept without a valid licence, kept contrary to licence conditions or found in a prohibited area.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does the Act apply everywhere in Tamil Nadu automatically?
It came into force at once in the City of Chennai. In other urban areas, it applies from dates appointed by the State Government through notification.
Do I need a licence to keep any animal or bird on urban property?
The licensing requirement applies to animals and birds covered by the Schedule and specified by State Government notification. After three months from the relevant notification, they may be kept only under a licence and its conditions.
What happens if my property is declared part of a prohibited area?
No new licence may be granted. An existing licence ends after six months from the declaration or when its remaining term expires, whichever is earlier, and the notified animals or birds must be removed within that period.
Can officials inspect a shed or stable on my property?
Yes. An Inspector, Licensing Officer, appellate authority or other authorised officer may enter and inspect at reasonable times to assess licensing arrangements or identify unlicensed or unlawful keeping of notified animals or birds.
