Talks should have been held before banning Kambala: DVS

Following the issue of notice by the Animal Welfare Board (Chennai) to the Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, Kambala was banned in undivided Dakshina Kannada district. Before initiating any move to ban Kambala, the officials should have reviewed the notice, said Union Minister for Law D V Sadananda Gowda.

Speaking after accepting memorandum from Kambala Samithi against the ban on Kambala, the traditional sports of undivided Dakshina Kannada district here on Sunday, he said that before banning the Kambala, the officials should have discussed the issue with the ministers in the district.

They could have moved forward after obtaining legal opinion. The decision to ban Kambala was taken in a hurry. “I will consider the memorandum submitted by the Kambala samithi seriously,” he said.

The case pertaining to arecanut is before the Supreme Court. The report that arecanut is not harmful to the health will be placed before the court. A delegation of MPs will meet Union Health Minister shortly to impress him upon not to ban arecanut.

“A research on the medicinal values found in arecanut conducted by a medical college is Chennai will be submitted to the court. All efforts will be made to ensure that no harm will meted out to the areca growers.”

‘State should wake up’

The Law Minister said that on the outset it proves that Kasturirangan report on conservation of Western Ghats is harmful to the people residing on the periphery of the forests. “The report was prepared by collecting satellite images. Hence, there is differences in the reality and the report.

This has been confirmed by the Green Tribunal itself. The Centre had directed the State to conduct a detailed survey in the already identified ecologically sensitive areas. However, the State government is yet to wake up. It woke up only after the Centre issued a reminder.

Now, it is conducting the meeting in a hurry to finalise the report,” he alleged. “The residents of Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada and Shivamogga will feel the heat with the implementation of Kasturirangan committee report. The state government should take up the issue seriously. The government should submit a detailed report on those who will be affected,” he added.

Repealing

Gowda said the process of repealing 90 old laws will be placed before the parliament in the ongoing winter session. The government will give priority to bring in reforms in election.

Ban on traditional Kambala

Kambala Samrakshane, Nirvahane mathu Tarabethi Academy Convener K Gunapala Kadamba said that following the Supreme Court direction, even traditional Kambala could not be observed. As a result, over 5,000 persons have become unemployed.

Thre is a need to bring in modification in law. He said “with the ban, the tradition has come to a halt. We can not withhold Kambala which will be observed as a vow,” he added.