Environmental justice is about the fair and equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. I am going to focus on environmental justice for animals.

 

Last year , there was lot of noise and protests in India against 'Jallikuttu'- a south Indian Bull Taming tradition. Let me tell you what exactly is this.

 

Jallikaatu could be referred to as bull taming event typically practiced in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day, third day of the four-day Pongal festival. The term 'jallikattu' is derived from the tamil words 'jalli' and 'kattu'.  Jalli refers to gold or silver coins. Kattu means 'tied'. Therefore, combined together it refers to coins being tied to the bulls' horns, which is considered the prize for whoever tames the bull. The bull that wins is used to service numerous cows preserving the native breed. It is renowned as an ancient 'sport', believed to have been practised some 2500 years ago. It is controversial because the sport often results in major injuries and even deaths.

 

A research conducted by People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)'s investigators found that the bulls were being disoriented, deliberately. The bulls' tails were allegedly bitten and twisted stabbed, punched and dragged on the ground. Jallikattu is cruel to the bulls.

 

I was following the news and was very sad to see the way bulls were treated during the sport/tradition. People may have different opinion, some may say it is right but I am deadly against this or any form of ill-treatment to animals.

 

 I also voiced my opinion through 'Gulf News-Speak your mind' section and few magazines. Below is the link:

 

http://gulfnews.com/your-say/your-view/focus-sports-involving-animals-1.1972164

 

http://alsew.org/environmental-science/a-message-to-stop-animal-abuse/

 

I am completely against Jallikuttu, bull fighting, cockfights, dogfighting, hare coursing, greyhound hunts and any cruel sports or torture games involving animals. It is appalling that civilized societies get their kicks by brutalizing animals in so many different ways – all for their own amusement, entertainment or pretext of tradition. These sports should be completely banned.

 

Jallikattu supporters say that it is a tradition and is very crucial to stop extinction of native cattle species. My point is that not every tradition should be carried forward into a modern civilisation. Practices such as sati and child marriage were all once considered 'tradition'. Honour killing was at one point practised actively in several parts of the world, and considered normal. Why should our sense of self-worth and existence depend so heavily on traditions that are barbaric, archaic and promote a distorted sense of machoism? Also, there are other, less brutal, ways to prevent the extinction of indigenous species of cattle.

 

Indian Constitution says that it is our fundamental duty to be compassionate towards all living creatures – not just human beings. Then why should owners of private animals be free to engage in cruel activities with them? Bulls incur serious injuries and fractures during Jallikattu. Some even die. 'Tradition' or 'culture' are not a sufficient justification to indulge in this sport.

 

I even heard supporters saying 'If Jallikattu is cruel to animals, then boxing/wrestling is cruel to mankind'. But there is a stark difference between the two sports -in boxing or wrestling, the consent of every player involved is taken, and the bulls never signed up for this 'sport' they are forced to be a part of.

 

There is no dearth of the inane arguments being made in favour of this senselessly brutal sport.

 

Bullfighting is another brutal, infact, the most brutal and the blood sport which has probably been the subject matter of more protests from animal rights groups than any other. Thankfully, however the protests have had their effect and we are seeing less and less of this needlessly cruel activity is. 

 

We must live in harmony and social peace with nonhuman animals. We have no right to harm any other animal because when we harm animals, we harm ourselves as a society.

 

It is right for people to stand up for something so pointlessly barbaric. It is fair to ask for a court ban on such cruel sports.

 

I respect animals and never buy anything which is made out of animal abuse. I don't enjoy and don't support circus where animals are mistreated and tortured to over-perform beyond their capacity. It's pathetic how some people find pleasure in harming/killing animals There is no excuse for causing immense pain and suffering to these creatures just for the sheer heck of it...for fun and games. 

 

It is necessary to create social awareness against the animal cruelty. It cannot obviously be done in a day but it is so important to keep bringing these cruelties to light and to work towards a constant evolution of our societies.

 

 

What do you guys feel? Is it Ok to have traditions like Jallikuttu?

 

Environment justice for animals and Concerns about the Humane Treatment of Animals include intensive confinement and abuse in CAFOs, and inhumane conditions during production, transport, and slaughter.

 

Aggressive action needs to be taken that will ensure an adequate food supply for the world population; reduce the use of energy, water, fertilizer, pesticides, and hormones in food production; mitigate climate change; and end the inhumane treatment of animals. These steps call for an evolution of our eating habits to include more locally grown, minimally processed whole foods.

 

CALL TO ACTION:

 

Let's try to:

• Increase our proportionate consumption of plant-based foods, which increases the global access to calories, provides health benefits, and prevents injuring animals; Minimally processed plant-based diets are healthier diets.
• minimizes the pain and suffering of animals by purchasing meat or seafood produced under humane conditions, for those who choose to eat meat or seafood;
• minimizes the negative environmental effects of raising animals or plants by purchasing organically produced food, and seafood certified as responsibly farmed or harvested;
• minimizes transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions by obtaining foods locally produced through home or community gardens, farmers markets, or community supported agriculture (CSA);

• purchasing fair tradecertified products as available.

• Overall, let us commit ourselves to ethical eating and a more equitable sharing of the earth's bounty.