Gujarat High Court takes note of stray cattle problem in State, seeks response from authorities

The Gujarat High Court on Monday took note of the menace of stray cattle across the State, especially in Ahmedabad, and ordered the State Animal Husbandry Department to file an affidavit listing the steps taken so far to address the issue. .A division bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J Shastri was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning functioning of animal welfare boards . "Have you ever gone for a walk around Ahmedabad? Have you seen the situation (due to stray cattle)? What have you done on this issue?" Chief Justice Kumar asked the government counsel. .The PIL was filed seeking effective functioning of the animal welfare board set up in the State on orders of the Supreme Court for ensuring proper implementation of the laws regarding protection of animals from cruelty. During the course of the hearing, the bench was informed that though board has to meet at least four times every year, the same has not happened."But the situation is different in the State. Our board has met only four times in the last three years. In fact, it ought to have had met 12 times in the last three years," the counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted. .Having heard the contention, the bench noted the functions of the animal welfare board and sought to know if they can take care of the issue of stray cattle menace. .The bench further noted that an order was passed in August last year, wherein the High Court had taken note of the cruelty meted out to animals in the State and had asked a responsible officer from the State's Animal Husbandry Department to spell out the steps taken by the animal welfare boards to protect the animals. Pursuant to that the State had filed a compliance affidavit in September 2021."The record clearly indicates that the board hasn't taken any action or step on number of fronts. This being a serious lapse and there being no material on record to show as to what steps have been taken to set up cattle ponds and panjrapoles," the bench noted..Therefore, the bench ordered the secretary of the Agricultural Department and also the director of the State Animal Husbandry Department to list down the steps taken so far for setting up the cattle ponds and other measures for protection of animals. "This would not only be in consonance with the objectives of the animal welfare board but would also take care of the issues of stray cattle menace. If the authorities fail to file the affidavits they will have to appear in person before us on the next hearing," the bench ordered. The matter was then adjourned for a week.