Uttarakhand High Court Calls for Blacklisting of Horse and Mule Operators Subjecting Animals to Cruelty
The Uttarakhand High Court has issued a directive to the state government, urging the formulation of a policy to blacklist horse and mule operators found guilty of subjecting their animals to cruelty and maltreatment. This move comes in response to concerns raised about the treatment of equines, especially those operating on the Char Dham routes.
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“We are of the view that mere fining of the handlers, or filing cases against them for inflicting cruelty to the animals, is not sufficient… The only effective way, in which cruelty to the equines can be curbed, is by blacklisting such handlers/ owners… We, therefore, direct the state to formulate a scheme/ rule in this regard, and to implement the same strictly as, it is only the fear of being debarred from carrying on their business, that will drive the erring handlers/ owners of equines, to fall in line.”
This directive was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal after hearing two public interest litigations (PILs) filed by animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi and social activist Ajay Gautam. Both PILs highlighted the deplorable conditions of the horses and mules on the Char Dham routes and the cruelty they endure at the hands of their handlers. They also pointed out the significant number of unregistered horse and mule operators on these routes.
Secretary of animal husbandry, BVRC Purushottam, informed the High Court that there has been a noticeable improvement in the situation compared to the previous year. However, the court responded,
“Though the number of deaths… may have declined… same still appears to be significant. We, therefore, direct the state to collect and collate the data, with regard to equines deaths on the pilgrimage routes …and to analyze the reasons for such deaths.”
The court also emphasized the need for only registered equines and handlers to be allowed on the yatra route. It directed the district magistrate of Rudraprayag and other concerned district magistrates to ensure that equines are not deployed on the Yatra Treks of Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Hemkund Sahib between sunset and sunrise, allowing the animals adequate rest.
Further suggestions from the petitioners included determining and enforcing the load-carrying capacity for equines, ensuring equines ply only once per day on any pilgrim trek, unsaddling equines daily to check for injuries, and conducting endurance tests to check for cardiac malfunctions. The court supported these suggestions and directed the state to implement them.
Highlighting the exploitation of the Insurance Scheme for equines, Maulekhi pointed out that injured or malnourished equines are often subjected to further cruelty to ensure their death and subsequent insurance claims. The court directed the state to review the insurance policy to prevent such exploitation.
Lastly, the court endorsed the implementation of a Stampede Prevention Mechanism on pilgrimage routes, emphasizing its necessity to prevent accidents involving large numbers of people. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for September 20.