India News | Urgent need to shift dairies in Ghazipur and Bhalswa from sanitary landfills: Delhi HC

New Delhi (India), May 3 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has ruled that there is an urgent need to rehabilitate and relocate the Ghazipur Dairy and Bhalswa Dairy as they are adjacent to the Sanitary Landfill Sites (‘SLFS’) . The court said the dairies should be shifted to areas where proper sewerage, drainage, biogas plants, sufficient open space for livestock to move around and sufficient grazing lands are available.

Taking into account the apprehension that dairies located next to the dumping grounds could cause diseases and hazards to public health, the court is prima facie of the view that these dairies should be shifted immediately, the Delhi HC said while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL ). on Friday.

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The committee, headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, noted that cattle in the dairy farms adjacent to the dumping sites would undoubtedly feed on hazardous waste and their milk, if consumed (directly or indirectly) by people, especially children , could have serious consequences.

The court further said that before issuing any binding instruction, it would like to hear from the officials concerned how these instructions are to be implemented. For this purpose, the Commissioner (MCD), Director Veterinary Affairs (MCD), Principal Secretary (GNCTD), CEO (DUSIB) and CEO (FSSAI) are directed to participate through audio-video link on the next date of hearing the procedure. .

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Officials will explore the possibility of land availability where the dairies can be rehabilitated and relocated. The Chief Secretary will also hold a preliminary meeting with the relevant officers before appearing before this court. List on May 8, 2024, the court said.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court appointed a judicial commissioner for inspection of designated milk colonies of Delhi, where around one lakh buffalos and cows are used for commercial milk production.

The recently court-appointed commissioner has informed that oxytocin is being administered to cattle in an attempt to force milk production and increase milk production. Administration of oxytocin amounts to animal cruelty and is a cognizable offense under section 12 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

The court directed the Department of Drugs Control, GNCTD, to conduct weekly inspections and ensure that all cases of improper use or possession of oxytocin are registered under relevant sections. The said violations will be investigated by the competent police stations.

The Intelligence Wing of Delhi Police has been directed to identify the sources of such spurious manufacturing, packaging and distribution of oxytocin and take action as per law, the court said.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by the three petitioners: Sunayana Sibal, Dr. Asher Jessudoss and Akshita Kukreja, Ahimsa Fellowship alumni. They are represented by senior lawyer Vivek Sibal.

The respondents include the Government of NCT of Delhi, the Urban Development Department of Delhi, the Animal Husbandry Unit of Delhi, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Police.

Petitioners pointed to alleged violations, including horrific animal abuse, such as tying with extremely short ropes, intense overcrowding, animals being forced to lie on their own feces, unattended and festering injuries and diseases, starvation of male calves, animal mutilation, etc.

The petition also points to piles of rotting carcasses and feces at various locations in the colonies and calves’ carcasses being dumped on public streets, leading to fly infestations and mosquito breeding.

The non-therapeutic administration of antibiotics and the administration of injections of a counterfeit drug suspected to be oxytocin were also highlighted. Oxytocin is a hormone used to induce labor pain in women and causes painful labor in buffaloes to increase milk output.

Petitioners argue that mutilated, mutilated and injured animals alike occur in unfathomable numbers. The gross environmental pollution and serious public nuisance due to poor waste disposal practices and the danger to public health due to disregard of various food safety standards are also highlighted.

Senior Counsel Vivek Sibal earlier stated before the court that despite notices issued in September 2022, most of the respondents have not filed their reply to the petition. He stressed that enormous damage is being done to both animals and the environment as a result of the authorities’ lack of action.

Petitioner Sunayana Sibal stated, “These animals are artificially inseminated and bred; their survival depends on our whims and fantasies of bigger, faster milk production chains. They spend their entire lives tethered to one place where they also die painfully.”

“None of the infrastructure required by law is adhered to and the animals are denied the bare minimum. The true cost of milk excludes heavy externalities – the costs of meeting the basic needs of or providing medical care to these animals. The real cost of milk Milk does not include the cost to public health caused by unsafe milk, nor the cost to the environment due to gross pollution caused by non-compliance with the laws in these milk colonies,” Sibal added. (ANI)

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