A film set is a frightening and distressing environment for animals, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has said while asking movie and television show producers to replace them with technology.

In an advisory issued to the Film Producers Association of India, OTT Platform Associations and the Film Chamber of Commerce, the AWBI said: “It is advisable that effective methods such as computer graphics, visual effects and animatronics should be prioritised instead of involving live animals in films/advertisement films in order to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering to animals during exhibition and training.”

PETA India on Thursday lauded the AWBI’s move.