With the arrival of summer and soaring temperatures, Vedanta's Animal Care Organisation (TACO), in collaboration with Climate Warrior, organized a water bowl challenge and a walkathon to benefit the city's stray animals. Over 650 people attended the event, which was inaugurated by actor
Bhumi Pednekar, also the creator of Climate Warrior, and Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta and Anchor, TACO. The event, held at the Father Agnel Ashram in Bandra, brought together animal lovers, mainly students, from the city to raise awareness about the importance of a well-being ecosystem for all creatures.
Participants were encouraged to place water-feeding bowls for stray animals and birds as part of the water bowl challenge. A group of veterinarians also held an animal health camp to provide health checks to stray animals and pets. Throughout the walk, Bhumi Pednekar, a champion for various social concerns, was seen talking with and motivating the participants. Agnel Education & Social Development Foundation and TACO's implementation partner, YODA (Youth in Defence of Animals), also contributed to the cause.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Anchor, TACO, expressed her joy in this wonderful initiative, saying, "We are thrilled to see young animal lovers pour out in large numbers today for the TACO Water Bowl Challenge and Walkathon." I am honoured to have Bhumi Pednekar and her Climate Warrior sustainability campaign join the cause. Humans and animals have coexisted peacefully in India for centuries. At TACO, we strive to carry on the spirit of this magnificent heritage by transforming the animal welfare ecosystem with the guiding philosophy of 'One Health, One Planet' at its core.
Bhumi Pednekar, acclaimed actor, National Advocate for UNDP India for the SDGs, and founder of the Climate Warrior Campaign, agreed, saying, "The health of humans, flora, fauna, and the well-being of our planet are all linked." Climate change endangers the lives of animals, but animal welfare is usually ignored in sustainable development. Devoting time to improving the lives of animals should be more than a responsibility; it should be a way of life. I am thrilled to be working with Priya Agarwal Hebbar and TACO on this project. Let us all work together to make the world a better place for all animals by treating them with care, respect, and love."
The 'Water Bowl Challenge' encourages individuals to supply drinking water and food to wandering animals and birds when temperatures rise. Participants are invited to participate in a social media challenge in which they will post a selfie with the feeding bowl, tagging
TACO, and nominate their acquaintances to take the challenge forward by posting similar pictures while feeding strays and/or with water bowls. The goal of this challenge is to urge everyone to be nice and compassionate to animals and birds while also raising awareness about the subject.
