Uttarakhand Court Approves Slaughterhouse for Traditional Festival Sacrifice

The Uttarakhand High Court has approved the establishment of a slaughterhouse for goat sacrifices as part of the Nanda Devi festival celebrations. This decision was made to respect longstanding traditions that had been affected by a 2015 ban at the Naina Devi temple.

A division bench led by Chief Justice Guhanathan Narendar addressed concerns presented in a PIL that requested this decentralized approach, aiming to uphold religious practices without compromising environmental and public space norms.

The court ordered the municipal council to designate a place for the slaughterhouse, ensuring it complies with pollution standards. Activists had raised environmental concerns but concessions were made for rituals. Devotees can alternatively offer coconuts at the temple.

(With inputs from agencies.)