Uttarakhand HC Directs Stringent Measures for Equine Welfare on Chardham Yatra

The Uttarakhand High Court recently directed the state government to blacklist equine handlers and owners along the Chardham Yatra route if they engage in cruelty towards animals.

A bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal emphasized that mere fines are insufficient and issued a series of directives to ensure the welfare of these animals.

The division bench was hearing a PIL filed by animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi and social worker Ajay Gautam, who highlighted the deaths of 600 horses during the Char Dham Yatra, posing a risk of disease transmission in the region. The petitioners requested improved medical facilities and safety measures for both animals and humans. The growing number of pilgrims has led to concerns about food and lodging shortages for both animals and people.

The court’s directives include prohibiting mules from working at night, ensuring that equines only carry loads within their capacity, and limiting each mule to a single shift per day. Health check-ups for the animals must be conducted before the journey begins, and arrangements must be made for warm water, accommodation, and veterinary staff.

The government has agreed to comply with these directions. The court recommended that only licensed mules be allowed to operate in the area, with unauthorized mules denied entry. Barricades and checkpoints will be established along the Yatra route to ensure that only registered equines and handlers are permitted to pass. This measure aims to maintain the significance and purpose of equine and handler registration and prevent unauthorized access, which could disrupt the Yatra.

The bench further stated that merely imposing fines or filing legal cases against handlers is insufficient to control and discipline those who mistreat equines. They observed that the fines are nominal and that legal proceedings often extend over several years, resulting in a lack of deterrence for those who continue to engage in cruel behavior for profit.

The court was informed that 215 financial penalties have been imposed on equine owners and 17 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered for animal cruelty this year up to July 28, 2023, according to the secretary of the animal husbandry department, BVRC Purushottam.