In order to curb the smuggling of bovines across the border, the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to ensure that there are no cattle markets within 20 kilometres of India-Bangladesh border.
SC bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar said all other orders will be passed after the Centre re-notifies the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Regulation of Livestock Market) Rules, 2017, part of which is kept in abeyance for further consultation and review.
SC also gave specific directions to the four states sharing border with that country.
The court was hearing a plea filed by Akhil Bharat Krishi Goseva Sangh alleging that there was rampant smuggling of live cattle across the border to Bangladesh, which has led to depletion of cattle wealth of this country.
According to PIL, the smuggling of cattle across the border of Bangladesh has led to overall disruption of ecosystem and if the cattle wealth of country is depleted, then it shall also have adverse impact on nutrition of populis including children in India.
India and Bangladesh share a 4,096 km-long international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world, with West Bengal having the highest length with 2,217 km.