Raj Panjwani to receive 2008 Excellence in Animal Law Award

New York, Jun 19 (UNI) Mr Raj Panjwani of the Animal and Environment Legal Defense Fund, India, will be honoured with the Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award by the American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section here on August 9.

The Award recognises exceptional work by an ABA member or leader of an animal law committee, who has made an impact in the advancement of the humane treatment of animals.

The honour will be handed out during the 2008 ABA Annual Meeting.

Mr Panjwani, a leading animal law constitution lawyer in India and currently serving as a vice chair of the Committee, has focused on animal welfare, environmental issues and legislation.

His successes as an advocate for animal rights include protection of the Olive Ridley turtles rookeries; prohibition on ivory trade and seizure of illegal ivory stocks; prohibition of trade in furs and skins of endangered wild, to name several career highlights.

He has been a member of the Labeling Committee, Government of India; Committee for Prevention of Cruelty and Supervision of Experiments on Animals. He has served as legal counsel for the Animal Welfare Board of India as well. In 2002, he was awarded a citation by the Supreme Court of India Bar Association for 'adding knowledge to the practice of law.' UNI XC PD CS VP0535