Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has refused to direct the state government to ban the traditional sport of Kambala in districts other than Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The order came in response to a public interest litigation filed by PETA in 2024, seeking to prevent Kambala events near the Pilikula Biological Park (Nisargadhama).
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Vibhuh Bakhru and Justice C.M. Poonacha, heard the petition which sought a blanket prohibition on Kambala in the state, arguing that such events involve cruelty to animals. However, the court took into account the cultural and traditional significance of Kambala in coastal Karnataka.
The legislature has also introduced the second amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to allow traditional sports such as Kambala and bullock cart races under regulated conditions, balancing cultural preservation with animal welfare.
The High Court noted that Kambala forms an integral part of the culture and heritage of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. “The state cannot be directed to prohibit Kambala outside these districts,” the court observed, citing the importance of local customs and livestock conservation.
Regarding the second issue of holding Kambala at Pilikul Nisargadhama, the court highlighted that while Kambala is a cultural event in the region, conducting it within the park could disturb wildlife and potentially violate the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The area spans 80 hectares, but whether the designated spot for Kambala falls within this zone remains disputed.
The bench also directed the Central Zoo Authority to submit certification confirming the master plan of Pilikul Nisargadhama as approved under the Zoo Rules, 2009. Notices were issued to the authority, and the matter has been adjourned to December 17 for further consideration.
This ruling underscores the court’s attempt to balance cultural heritage and animal protection, leaving the state and regulatory authorities to decide on the feasibility and legality of Kambala events within protected zones.
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