Pune: Highlighting the environmental impact of the dairy industry and its link to the meat sector, youth across 20 cities in India took to the streets on the occasion of Earth Day. In Pune, animal rights activists organized a photo exhibition and protest outside Sambhaji Garden on Jangli Maharaj Road to raise public awareness.
Through the message “Milk and meat come from the same animal,” the campaign aimed to draw attention to the lifecycle of animals within the dairy industry and their eventual sale in meat markets. Activists urged citizens to reflect on this connection and consider the environmental consequences of dairy consumption.
According to information shared during the protest, producing one liter of milk in India requires approximately 1,078 liters of water, posing a serious concern in a water-stressed country. Additionally, methane emissions from livestock were highlighted as a major contributor to global warming.
Animal rights activist Harshal Magare said, “India must confront the uncomfortable truth that the dairy and beef industries are two sides of the same coin. As the world’s largest milk producer, we are also among the leading exporters of beef. When dairy animals become ‘unproductive,’ they are inevitably sent to slaughterhouses. Every sip of milk indirectly supports this system.”
Twinkle Oswal stated, “Pune is currently facing severe water shortages and heatwaves, yet we continue to ignore one of the root causes—animal-based agriculture and dairy production. If thousands of liters of water are required for just one liter of milk, our dietary habits have become a serious climate issue.”
Prasad Suryawanshi added, “As a society, we have become disconnected from the violence and exploitation inherent in dairy production. While we culturally revere these animals, our daily consumption silently funds their lifelong suffering. This campaign is a mirror to our collective conscience.”
With rising water scarcity, increasing temperatures, and growing food security concerns, activists emphasized the urgent need for policymakers, government bodies, and the dairy industry to address the environmental and ethical challenges posed by current food systems.
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