Nod for Jallikattu paves way for Kambala

Celebration time: Govt order says animals can be used for events

The decision of the Centre to lift the ban on Jallikattu (bull-taming sport) will also pave the way for a smooth celebration of the traditional Kambala (wetland buffalo race) widely held in coastal Karnataka.

Though the gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) on Thursday did not mention about Kambala, a senior official of the ministry told Deccan Herald that the order clearly said the animals can be used for performing at events in the manner by the customs of any community or practised traditionally under the customs or as a part of culture.

The order said: “Provided that bulls may continue to be exhibited or trained as a performing animal at events such as Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and bullock cart races in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala and Gujarat in the manner by the customs of any community or practised traditionally under the customs or as a part of culture, in any part of the country.”

However, the Kambala should be held under strict conditions.

The notification said  the event shall take place in any district where it is being traditionally held annually and the organisers have to take permission from the deputy commissioner.

The organisers should ensure that the animals are put to proper testing by the authorities of the animal husbandry and veterinary department and are not given performance-enhancement drugs.0

The event should be duly monitored by the District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and state animal welfare board or the district authorities to ensure that no unnecessary pain or suffering is caused to the animals, the notification said.

While traditional Kambalas numbering over 100 are held between November and mid-December, especially in Kundapur and Udupi, over 20 competitive Kambalas are organised in several areas in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts between November end and April.

Meanwhile, the Centre’s permitting resumption of Jallikattu (bull-taming sport) in Tamil Nadu ahead of Pongal by altering a four-year-old official order prohibiting the use of bulls as performing animals is seen as a result of political pressure from the poll-bound state.