Animal Welfare Board wants annual Buffalo race in Karnataka to be cancelled

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has written to Karnataka Chief Secretary and Deputy Commissioners of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, asking them to take immediate steps to stop the 'Kambala' (annual Buffalo race in muddy fields) events in the current season.

Acting on a complaint from People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India, AWBI said that the Supreme Court judgement of May 7, 2014, banning all bull races in the country was still in force. AWBI had inspected three Kambala events in 2014-15, resulting in filing of 65 non-cognisable offence complaints and one First Information Report at a local police station. The inspection reports explained the apparent violations of the specific conditions set by the Karnataka High Court under which it allowed Kambala, the letter said.

"Kambala events are inherently cruel and are no different from bull races and jallikattu, which are banned by the Supreme Court in the entire country," it said.

However, district administrations of Udupi and DK have decided to allow the events under strict supervision of police and revenue officials with video recording to detect ill treatment of animals, like it was done last year.

Kambala season in the coastal region begins in November and lasts till March. Five events have already been held this year starting with Surya Chandra Kambala at Bangadi in DK on November 21.