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Ban on traditional buffalo and bulbul (songbird)

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December 21, 2024

Why in News?

The Gauhati High Court reintroduced a ban on traditional buffalo and bulbul (songbird) fights during Magh Bihu Assam, quashed the Assam government's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the previous year

  • Buffalo fight - Traditional buffalo fights are popularly known as Moh Jooj in Assam.
  • It was introduced to Assamese culture by the 30th Ahom King, Swargadeo Rudra Singha, nearly 200 years ago.
  • It is celebrated as a sport, the riverside town of Ahatguri has been hosting buffalo fight tournaments as part of the Magh Bihu celebrations since 1972.
  • It is against the provisions of
    • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960,
    • The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and
    • The Supreme Court’s 2014 judgement which outlawed the use of bulls as performing animals in jallikattu, kambala and bullock cart races.
  • Magh Bihu – It is also known as Bhogali Bihu or Maghar Domahi, is an Assamese winter harvest festival observed in January or February.
  • The buffalo and bulbul fights are part of the folk culture associated with this harvest festival.
  • Bulbul fight – In some parts of Assam starved and intoxicated bulbuls were made to fight over food.

Red-vented Bulbul

Wild water buffalo
  • Scientific Name - Pycnonotus cafer
  • It is a dark, sleek, medium-sized bird with a black crest and a white rump. The red color under the tail is often difficult to see.
  • Habitat - It often seen high in trees or perched on wires in urban and rural areas; generally prefers scrubby edge habitat instead of dense forest.
  • Distribution - Native to South and Southeast Asia.
  • Conservation status
  • IUCN Red List - Least Concern
  • Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

 
  • Scientific Name - Bubalus arnee.
  • It is also called Asian buffalo and Asiatic buffalo.
  • Wild water buffalo are larger and heavier than domestic buffalo.
  • It is a large bovine native to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
  • In India, they are largely restricted to in and around Kaziranga, Manas and Dibru-Saikhowa National Parks, Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary and Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary and in a few scattered pockets in Assam; and in and around D'Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • It is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List

References

  1. The Indian Express | Ban on buffalo and bulbul fights
  2. Hindustan Times | Gauhati HC bans buffalo and bulbul fights
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