Drop expected in sacrifices
KATHMANDU, Nepal – The animal sacrifice during Gadhimai festival, reportedly
the largest religious slaughter in the world, will see a significant decline
this year, according to government officials.
The festival, which formally begins on Monday, will continue for 15 days and the sacrificial ritual is carried out on November 28 and 29.
Officials claimed that the Indian Supreme Court order to some states to restrict animal export would lower the number of animals brought across the border.
Last month, the apex court of India issued an interim order to the Union of India and state governments of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal—from where a majority of the animals are transported—to check the animal outflow.
Organisers say almost 70 percent of a quarter of a million animals sacrificed during the festival are brought from the Indian states.
The festival, which formally begins on Monday, will continue for 15 days and the sacrificial ritual is carried out on November 28 and 29.
Officials claimed that the Indian Supreme Court order to some states to restrict animal export would lower the number of animals brought across the border.
Last month, the apex court of India issued an interim order to the Union of India and state governments of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal—from where a majority of the animals are transported—to check the animal outflow.
Organisers say almost 70 percent of a quarter of a million animals sacrificed during the festival are brought from the Indian states.