After the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board slapped the BBMP Abattoirs (which account for less that 25% of Bengaluru’s animals killed each day), the illegal slaughter and disposal of animals has become a major concern. Officials and meat traders are now trying to put an end to this menace.
Officials estimate that around 15,000 to 40,000 sheeps, buffalos, and pigs will be slaughtered every day in Bengaluru Urban. However, there is not much oversight over the disposal of animal waste from shops. Weekends and certain festivals see a rise in meat consumption. Every day, an average of 15,000 to 22,000 animals are killed. During festival days, this number can reach 40,000. Sources in KSPCB stated that most of the animal waste, including blood goes to the drains. This is a major polluter.
The BBMP stated that approximately 1,500 sheep/goats and 150 buffaloes are slaughtered daily at its slaughterhouses in Tannery Road and KR Market. The BBMP was closed down after its abattoirs were discovered to be major polluters in the Ulsoor and Bellandur lakes.
Khasim S Rahaman Qureshi (All India Jamiathul Quresh president) said that the problem goes deeper. We have only scratched at the surface. Bengaluru needs at least 10 abattoirs to scientifically slaughter animals and dispose of the waste. Because they don’t have an option, meat traders are cutting animals outside of the abattoirs. He explained that a small meat shop owner is unable to afford to take animals for slaughter at a distance of 15-50 km, and then bring the meat back to his shop for sale.
A top KSPCB official stated that the NGT had been seized of the matter. The BBMP must recognize the problem soon. We know that tons of animal waste are being dumped in yellow spots. This is causing major problems. According to the official, the illegal disposal of animal waste is a direct link to the stray dog problem.
Officials also expressed concern about the chicken trade. Although there are more than 3,000 chicken-selling shops in the city, very little information is available about how they dispose the waste. According to a BBMP official, dumping animal waste in public areas will cause major problems. However, no one seems to be bothered at the moment.
We are working to modernise existing abattoirs. Bengaluru needs more slaughterhouses. The current ones were built before the city was a municipality. Gaurav Gupta (BBMP Chief Commissioner) stated that we need to increase our capacity. Syed Khaja, senior environmental officer at KSPCB, said that the BBMP recently proposed to modernize two abattoirs within the city. It is true that the city requires more abattoirs. He said that we will bring the matter to the attention of the authorities.
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