The Delhi High Court expressed its concern for the health of Delhi’s citizens and the welfare of cattle, emphasizing that cattle should not consume toxic waste, as it compromises the quality of milk produced. The court highlighted this issue amid discussions on urban encroachments and misuse of dairy land.
During a hearing on Friday, the court noted significant illegal constructions and encroachments within dairy colonies, particularly criticizing the transformation of dairy areas into residential zones. Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet P S Arora condemned the disregard for dairy maintenance, noting, “These people are not concerned with dairies. They are only concerned with their properties. These are all property brokers. This has nothing to do with the health of the citizens of the city.”
The court has extended interim protection against demolition for some dairy owners in Bhalswa until August 23, provided they agree to relocate and disclose details about their operations. Others who did not receive this protection were advised to seek recourse through the Appellate Tribunal for MCD.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) clarified that its actions were not against dairies per se but targeted illegal constructions that misused dairy land for commercial purposes such as showrooms. The MCD plans to relocate over 400 dairies to a more suitable location in Ghogha, on the outskirts of Delhi, to prevent cattle from grazing on landfill waste and to tackle the unauthorized use of dairy plots.
Earlier observations by the court shed light on the dire conditions within dairy colonies, describing them as “dingy” and “unhygienic.” The court stressed that the future generation should not suffer from diseases due to the consumption of contaminated milk. It recognized the need to overhaul the infrastructure of dairies to ensure healthier living conditions for cattle and safer milk production.
Also Read
This case is part of a larger petition addressing the poor conditions in nine designated dairy colonies across Delhi. The High Court’s directive for relocating the Bhalswa dairy colony aims to rectify the failure of statutory authorities to prevent cattle from feeding on garbage, a practice that poses serious health risks.
