The atmosphere on Saturday was festive, as ''kambala'', the traditional slush-track buffalo race of coastal Karnataka, resumed in Moodbidri in Dakshin Kannada district after a year.
''Kambala'' could not be conducted last year due to a ban imposed by Karnataka High Court in November 2016 on a public interest litigation petition filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The President promulgated The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance 2017 in July, 2017, paving the way for conducting ''kambala.'' It is valid till January 20, 2018. But the PETA challenged the ordinance in the Supreme Court which, on November 6, refused to pass an interim stay on the Ordinance. The next hearing is scheduled on November 13.
'Kambala' race at Kadalakere | Photo Credit: H.S. Manjunath
Koti Chennaya Jodu Kare (double track) ''kambala'' began for 24 hours at Kadalakere in Moodbidri at 8.30 a.m. It is the first among 19 double tack ''kambalas'' scheduled for the 2017-18 race season (November to March) under the auspices of the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Jodukare Kambala Committee. The last one will end at Talapady near Mangaluru in March 2018. In addition, at least 150 other ''kambalas'' go on in coastal Karnataka.
Office-bearers of the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Jodukare Kambala Committee and Moodbidri MLA K. Abhayachandra Jain were present during the inaugural ceremony. More than 50 pairs of male-buffaloes arrived at Kadalakere by 10.30 am.
The 24-hour ''kambala'' will end at 8.30 a.m. on November 12.
Owners of buffaloes and racers were happy that they got an opportunity after a year.