Bengaluru: The Karnataka government informed the High Court on Wednesday that a four-member technical committee has been constituted to study whether the Kambala festival, organized near the Pilikula Biological Park in Mangaluru, poses any disturbance to the animals housed there.

The matter was brought before a division bench comprising Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice K.V. Aravind during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The petition challenges the organization of Kambala near the Pilikula Nisargadhama, citing potential harm to the animals.

Appearing for the state, Advocate General K. Shashikiran Shetty stated that concerns raised by the petitioner prompted the formation of a technical committee. The committee includes:

-C.V. Deepa, Deputy Director of Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysuru,
-Dr. Arun Kumar Shetty, Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, Mangaluru,
-Prof. Sriniketan, faculty member from NITK Surathkal, and
-Lakshmikant, Environmental Officer of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Baikampady, Mangaluru.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner issued the order to form the committee on November 15. It will conduct a detailed examination of the proposed Kambala venue and the biological park to evaluate if the festival would have any adverse effects on the animals. The committee is expected to submit its findings, with a clear technical opinion, within two weeks.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for December 4. Meanwhile, it also ordered notices to be served to newly added respondents, including the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner and the Pilikula Development Authority.