Tamil Nadu Government Plans Unique IDs for Jallikattu Bulls to Streamline Traditional Sport

The Tamil Nadu government, under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s administration, is taking steps to provide unique IDs for Jallikattu bulls in an effort to streamline the traditional sport. With around 16,000 to 19,000 bulls participating annually in Jallikattu and bull racing across 20 districts in the state, the government aims to establish a comprehensive data bank by using nose prints of the bulls.

Collaborating with the Tamil Nadu Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, the Tamil Nadu e-governance agency will develop a portal containing information about Jallikattu bulls. The move seeks to create an organized setup for the sport, improve tracking of bull well-being, and facilitate approval processes for Jallikattu tournaments, which take place from January to May each year. The initiative aims to strike a balance between preserving tradition and ensuring animal welfare.