With hundreds of devotees expected to congregate at two temples in Doddaballapur on the outskirts of the city, animal rights activists have raised concerns that the traditional ‘Kolubete’ ritual that involves hunting of wild animals with sticks may restart.
Conducted in the sparse forests near the mofussil town, the villagers hunt jackals, naked hares, wild boar, jungle cats, monitor lizards, among other animals, said Praveen G., a city-based animal rights activist. The hunting festivals are planned to be held on Thursday and December 25 in the villages around ‘Bete Anjaneya’ and ‘Bete Ranganathaswamy temple’.
“Since the Supreme Court banned hunting in 2003, the ritual had halted. This year, however, there are indications from the villagers that the hunting will restart. Villagers have reported that groups have been urging people to participate in the ritual,” he said.
Apart from complaints from animal rights activists, the forest department has received a letter from a local godman warning of the ritual restarting, said Syed Nizamuddin, Range Forest Officer, Doddaballapur. “We do not have a special task force or a team that can monitor hunters when the festival starts. However, once we receive a complaint of hunting, action will be taken,” he said.
Forest officials point to an order issued by the department that prohibits hunting festivals across the State.
