Animal Powered Systems - TAWS link

[Guest guest]

Noma Petroff wrote:

 

>

> This topic of animal powered systems will become increasingly

> important as time passes and petroleum powered engines become too

> expensive to maintain and operate. If we develop this as a aspect of

> cow protection, we have the opportunity to use it to attract people to

> Krsna consciousness.

>

> your servant,

>

> Hare Krsna dasi

 

 

I guess one important thing to keep in mind as we seek to develop animal

power systems is that when these systems are implemented, there is an

exceptionally high likelihood of abuse of the animals.

 

As devotees look through these books, they will no doubt be struck by

how miserable the work conditions of the animals can be. Some engines

are located in dark confined buildings. You can imagine that there is

poor ventilation and poor air quality. Also, in many cases probably the

amount of noise is deafening. Who knows how long the animals are

working, how long they are rested, whether they are beaten, how well

they are fed, whether they actually ever get to go into a pasture to

grazes?

 

These are some of the possible problems with these systems. But, that

should not stop us from seeking to develop these systems. At a very

minimum, Srila Prabhupada stated that the oxen should be used for

"smashing grains." So this is definitely something he wanted us to do,

and it is something which can highlight the usefulness and value of the

animals.

 

For every potential problem in animal welfare standard, a thoughtful

devotee teamster and devotee engineer can create standards and designs

which are meant to keep the animals as comfortable as possible. And we

should specifically insist on an animal welfare component for all

designs and projects that we formulate.

 

Undoubtedly, one way or another, animal powered systems will gain

increasingly widespread use as petroleum prices inevitably rise over the

next few decades. The important thing is that if we develop these

systems in full Krsna consciousness, then we have a chance to formulate

humanitarian standards to pass along with the systems -- just as we have

with the Minimum Cow Protection Standards already in place.

 

Hare Krsna devotees should work both with each other and with public

organizations like TAWS to promote humanitarian treatment of work

animals, especially oxen and cows, wherever animal powered systems are

introduced. Below is information on TAWS which at present deals mostly

with Animal Transport, but could be expanded to deal with other uses of

animal traction, including animal powered systems.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi

 

World Association for Transport Animal Welfare and Studies

Hardwick Court Farm, Hardwick Lane

Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 0AD, United Kingdom

 

Phone: 01932 564366 (+ 44 1932 564366)

 

E-mail: info (AT) taws (DOT) org

 

http://www.taws.org/

[Guest guest]

Dear Hare Krishna DD Prabhu,

 

Hare Krishna. PAMHO AGTSP

 

I must say a big thank you for the information about the publications on

animal engines etc. I have been able to obtain all three of them and have

found it very helpfull to our ox mill here in BM. The Gita Nagari model

becomes more and more ideal the more I read into the other methods weighed

against our experiences here.

 

We are attempting to use the oxen harness to the truck axle directly one

more time. We will not drive the machinery on load and we may even use less

oxen perhaps 2 or 3 rather than 4. My fealing though is that at some point

we will be building a modification of the Gita Nagari design, probably when

ours breaks again (is that too negative?).

 

TAWS workshop. I have mentioned that as a result of your inspiration I am

enrolling for the workshop on the 15th of April. From my initial contact

with them I have spoken with Paul Starkey and he has requested a site visit

to Bhaktivedanta Manor to see our working oxen. He is bringing a couple of

persons with him one is from Germany (uses padded collers for oxen)and a

person you know well, Drew Conway, is also going to come.

 

I am feeling somewhat humbled by the seniority in animal traction these

individuals carry. They are arriving in the morning and we will show some of

the oxen working and give a tour of the project and share some of the future

plans and aspirations. If you have any suggestions as to what else we should

do further for the day please let me know.

 

ys syam