In a ruling that may have far-reaching implications, a Delhi sessions court has banned slaughter of buffalo calves, export of live animals for meat and slaughter of livestock for export as meat.
Judge C K Chaturvedi made the ruling on a petition by residents of the north Delhi colony of Narela against acquisition of land by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for an abattoir (slaughter house). The residents objected to the stench that an abattoir would emit.
Citing the Constitution, Chaturvedi noted it is a fundamental duty of all citizens to "protect and improve the local environment" and "have compassion for living creatures". He also cited two Supreme Court judgements and ruled animals have "a right to live in harmony with humans".
Responding to a contention that an unchecked cattle population could result in overgrazing, Chaturvedi instructed the Union ministry of urban development to ensure grazing grounds are included as an essential element of town planning.
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