Before the fight begins, the camels are stripped of their festive pom poms and bells. Camel fighting is illegal in Pakistan but the event at the Layyah festival still draws a significant crowd. “According to the Pakistani law, all animal fights are illegal,” said lawyer Abdul Ahad Shah of the Animal Welfare Organisation. Enthusiasts brush away the criticism, saying the fights are a tradition in the country´s Punjab heartland. In Turkey, which hosts the hugely popular Selcuk Camel Wrestling Festival, local media reported attempts by local politicians for the activity to be listed on the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List.

Source: Pakistan Today March 06, 2019 05:03 UTC