To stop export of livestock from Tuna port in Kutch district, the Gujarat government issued a notification Friday banning entry of cattle into the drought-affected Kutch region from other parts of the state.
Making the announcement in Gandhinagar, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said his government will not allow export of animals as Gujarat is a "non-violent state".
The state home department has been asked to open a special check-post at Tuna Port to stop export of livestock, he said.
Animals are exported from Tuna in Kutch district mainly to West Asian countries for slaughter and consumption.
"The Gujarat government hereby makes an order prohibiting the movement of any cattle into any drought- affected area from outside," the notification issued by the agriculture department said.
"We issued the notification because the livestock being exported from Tuna is brought from other parts of the state," Rupani told reporters.
"Our government is committed to stop export of livestock. Gujarat is a non-violent state. We will do everything necessary to stop such export," the chief minister added.
Tuna Port, designated by the Centre for livestock export, comes under the jurisdiction of Deendayal Port Trust, Kandla.
In a letter to Customs Commissioner at Kandla, Rupani urged him not to allow any export of animals from Tuna, as it does not have "facilities for Animal Quarantine and Certification" as mandated by the Central authorities.
Rupani sent a similar communication to Union Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu, requesting him to "instruct the concerned authorities to not issue any permit for export of live animals from Tuna until the specified facility for Quarantine and Certification is established".
Moreover, the state home department issued an advisory to the Kutch Superintendent of Police to keep a watch on transport of animals in the district and take steps to implement provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The announcement by Rupani came hours after some animal rights activists in the city announced a mega rally here on December 16 demanding ban on export of animals from Gujarat
In September, the Gujarat High Court had stayed an order of Kutch district collector which had prohibited port authorities from allowing export of livestock.
The collector had claimed that the exporters violated provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
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