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No cow slaughter, no sale of beef in Himachal: HP High Court
After imposing a ban on animal and bird sacrifices in religious places, the High Court has now imposed a ban on cow slaughter in the state. The court directed that no person would slaughter any cow/calf and export cow for the purpose of slaughter either directly or through his agent or servant.
The court also directed that no person would sell beef or beef products in any form in the state .
Passing this direction, a Division Bench comprising Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Sureshwar Thakur observed that, “There is complete prohibition of cow slaughter as per Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1979, and the state is required to make an endeavour to take steps for preserving and improving the breeds and prohibiting the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch cattle.”
It further observed that, “Animals have their own rights and it is our duty to protect their rights. They breathe like us. These animals are also creation of God.”
The court further directed the authorities that the entire roads are to be made free of stray cattle by December 31, 2014.
The court passed this order on a public interest litigation plea where the petitioner organisation has highlighted the plight of cows in the state and given the instances of pain and suffering caused to cows. It prayed for constructing the modern goshalas or gosadans and also to provide medical assistance to them.
The court further directed that the owners of cattle which are found on the streets, roads and public places should be punished.
It directed the Commissioner, MC, Shimla and Executive Officers of all Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and pradhans of gram panchayats to ensure that all roads passing through their jurisdiction were kept free from the stray cattle to ensure free and smooth flow of the traffic. Cattle would have a tag number indicative of the owner to whom the animal belongs in order to trace the owner.
The Bench also directed the Superintending Engineers of all national highways and state highways to ensure that no stray cattle, including cows and bulls, come to the roads. But while doing so, utmost compassion was shown to these and no unnecessary force was used on these. If the cattle were transported, there should be a provision for construction of ramps and the vehicles should be driven not more than 10-15 kms/hour to avoid injuries to the animals.
The court also directed all local bodies, including the MC, Shimla, to construct in their jurisdiction goshalas/gosadans or shelters for housing cows and stray cattle within six months. It further directed that government veterinary officers/doctors to treat all stray cattle.
Bench directives
The Bench directs the authorities that the entire roads should be made free of stray cattle by December 31, 2014.
The owners of cattle which are found on the streets, roads and public places should be punished
Cattle will have a tag number indicative of the owner to whom the animal belongs to trace the owner
If the cattle are transported, there should be a provision for construction of ramps
The vehicles carrying cows should be driven not more than 10-15 kms/hour to avoid injuries to the animals
It directs all local bodies to construct goshalas/gosadans or shelters for housing cows and stray cattle within six months
–TheTribune/Vijay Arora
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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