Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday gave the go-ahead signal for buffalo racing (Kambala) events in coastal Karnataka starting November 19.
In response to a petition filed by the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts Kambala Samiti challenging the refusal of permission the local administration, Justice A S Bopanna passed the order. The buffalo races would have to be conducted as per certain rules stated by the government in its order dated December 17, 2015.
Some of the rules in the order are like that buffaloes cannot be subjected to cruelty of any kind and should be provided with proper food, water and shelter and so on.
More than 45 male buffalo races are held during November-March in the coastal Karnataka. The races are held in wet paddy fields filled. The contest is generally between two pairs of harnessed buffaloes, prodded by a farmer. Rewards are presented to the winners.
