Society for the Advancement of Animal and Environmental Welfare (SAAEW), National Law University Odisha invites participation in the 2nd SAAEW Essay Writing Competition 2026. The competition aims to encourage students to engage with contemporary legal and ethical questions surrounding animal welfare, animal rights, and the commercial exploitation of animals.
CENTRAL THEME
Commodification of Animals
Participants are invited to submit original essays examining the legal and ethical boundaries between protecting animals and treating them as commodities, with particular attention to wildlife trade, captivity, private ownership, and the commercialisation of animals.
INDICATIVE SUB-THEMES
· Animals as Commodities: Examining the legal status of animals, the limits of ownership rights, and whether animals should be recognised beyond their status as property.
· Wildlife Trafficking and Illegal Animal Trade: Exploring the legal and environmental consequences of illegal wildlife markets.
· Animals in Captivity: Examining animal welfare concerns arising from zoos, aquariums, private collections, and other forms of captivity.
· The Pet Industry: Addressing commercial breeding, the sale of companion animals, and ownership practices.
· Industrial Animal Farming: Analysing the treatment of animals as economic resources in the meat, dairy, and poultry industries.
· Animal-Based Tourism: Exploring the conflict between economic benefits, wildlife tourism, and animal welfare.
· Biodiversity and the Commodification of Nature: Examining how the commercial exploitation of animals affects ecosystems and biodiversity.
ELIGIBILITY
The competition is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing a degree in any discipline at a recognised university, college, or institution across India.
IMPORTANT DATES
· Last Date for Registration: 15th November 2026
· Essay Submission Deadline: 31st December 2026
REGISTRATION & SUBMISSION
· Single Authorship: ₹300
· Co-Authorship: ₹500
Interested participants are required to complete the registration process by 15th November 2026. Registered participants must submit their essays through the designated submission form, which will be shared with their registered email IDs.
For detailed information please refer to the attached competition brochure.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
The competition features a total cash prize pool of ₹13,000.
All participants will receive Certificates of Participation, while the Top Five entries will be awarded Certificates of Merit. Selected essays may also be considered for publication in NLUO university journals, subject to the respective editorial and review processes.