Petitioners & Govt reach agreement on some points regarding use of equines for pilgrimage
Friday, 11 AUGUST 2023 | PNS | NAINITAL
Hearing on a public interest litigation against the alleged mismanagement in Kedarnath pilgrimage resulting in the deaths of equines, the Uttarakhand High Court directed the petitioners and the State government to submit an agreement letter to resolve some of the issues raised in the petition. The matter was taken up for hearing by the division bench of chief justice Vipin Sanghi and justice Rakesh Thapliyal. The petitioners and the government reached a mutual agreement for resolving some of the issues.
As per the agreement the horses and mules will not be made to work at night and they will be made to carry loads according to their capacity. The equines will be made to make only one round trip in a day and they will be administered a health check daily before the start of their trip. The petitioners and the government also agreed upon provision of warm water and shelter for the equines along with veterinary staff. The two sides could not reach an agreement on some of the issues including fixing the total number of equines used to ferry pilgrims, Central government SOPs and other aspects.
During the hearing on Thursday, the Animal Husbandry secretary, Rudraprayag district magistrate and other officials concerned were also present via video conferencing. Animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi and Ajay Gautam have filed the PIL in the High Court stating that 600 horses-mules have died so far on the pilgrimage track which has also increased the risk of disease in the area. The petitioners have sought safety of the animals and humans along with medical treatment. The petitioners contended that mismanagement is resulting in problems related to food and shelter for both the equines and people. They have sought that people and equines be used for the pilgrimage according to carrying capacity of the area so that proper arrangements can be made for the pilgrims and to ensure that the animals do not face cruelty.
