Mangaluru: The order of Supreme Court on Monday refusing interim stay on holding Kambla – the traditional buffalo slush track race – has paved way for holding four more Kambalas in the current season.

A Bench comprising A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud on Monday turned down the plea of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals seeking an interim stay on holding Kambala as an ordinance of the Karnataka government to allow it had lapsed. The Bench however has posted the case to March 12 for final hearing.

While the Vamanjoor Kambala is slated for February 18, Uppinangady Kambala is on February 24, Altharu-Barkuru on February 25, Bangadikolli on March 3 and Kakkyapadavu on March 10.

The fate of Talapady Kambala scheduled for March 18 depends upon the Apex Court’s ruling of March 12.

PETA had made the interim plea in the writ petition challenging the ordinance by the State government in July 2017 after the President refused assent to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill of 2017, to stay further events as the Ordinance had lapsed.

Following corrections, the State government has forwarded the Bill for the assent of the President.

Ashok Rai, a respondent in the writ petition, told that the interim order has paved way for holding the Vijaya Vikarama Kambala in Uppinangady, about 70 km away from Mangaluru. Mr. Rai is the convener of the Vijaya Vikrama Kambala.

Following the ordinance, there was smooth start to the Kambala for this season that started in Novembe 2017. The first Kambala was in Kadalakere in Moodbidri on November 11. In all, 19 Kambalas are scheduled for this season and it ends with the race in Talapady on March 18, 2018.

Gunapal Kadamba, who runs Kambala Academy, said Kambala organisers will continue to hold the event without causing any harm to buffaloes. He reiterated the demand for a scientific study of the physiology of buffaloes in Kambala. He said the buffaloes taking part in Kambala were capable of running in the slushy track.