Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 9: People of the twin-districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, particularly traditional organizers of annual Kambala events, Kambala lovers, and families known to raise winning buffalos by training them and by grooming their racers since the times of their forefathers, have hailed the centre's gazette notification dated January 7 allowing Kambala, Jallikattu and a few other forms of animal races in the country.

The gazette notification contains ammendment brought out to the notification issued by union ministry of forests and environment in 2011. The ammendment has exempted Kambala and some other rural folk sports from the purview of the above notification. As per this new notification, bullocks, buffalos etc can be used for Jallikattu, bullock cart races etc that are traditionally organized or form a part of heritage folk sport in different parts of the country. Although Kambala has not been specifically named in the notification, sources said there is no need for it.

Gunapal Kadamba, honorary adviser of DK and Udupi District Kambala Samiti said that Kambala happens to be a part of culture of the region, and it is more a ritual than a sport. He added that Kambala has a history of over 600 years. Noting that about 24 Kambalas are organized in the two districts every year, he thanked union law minister, D V Sadananda Gowda, people's representatives from the two districts and others for working to make this happen.

Several organizers of Kambala have also expressed a feeling of relief coming out of this decision. Organizer of Kambala from Barkur in Udupi district, Shantaram Shetty, said that Kambala is a part of Tuluva culture. He noted that since the last sometime, Kambalas are held without showing any type of cruelty towards animals. Another Kambala organizer, Heeranje Sudhakar Shetty, expressed the fear that the flavour of age-old Kambala may be adversely affected if stringent conditions imposed by the government are followed fully.

Those associated with Kambala have stressed in unison that owners of buffalos and the racers should be specific in sticking to conditions imposed, as adverse reports from tahsildars and police personnel, whose presence is mandatory, can put question marks on the future of Kambala. Gunapal Kadamba has advised everyone to be very careful, particularly so because there are people watching the events closely for any violations of conditions, particularly relating to showing cruelty towards animals.