Rajasthan HC takes suo moto cognizance of declining camel count

The Rajasthan High Court has expressed concerns over the declining numbers of camels in the state. The HC has taken a self-motivated cognizance in the matter and issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and the Principal Animal Husbandry Secretary seeking a reply.

Jaipur (Rajasthan): The Rajasthan High Court has expressed serious concerns over the declining numbers of camels in the state. The HC has taken a self-motivated cognizance in the matter and issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and the Principal Animal Husbandry Secretary seeking a reply. Camel is the official state animal of Rajasthan.

A division bench of Chief Justice Inderjit Mahanti and Justice Satish Kumar Sharma had given orders in this regard. The court also directed advocate Prateek Kasliwal to cooperate with the court as an amicus curiae in the matter. The court further questioned the government regarding the benefit of the law made for the protection of these animals.

In 2012, the number of camels in the state was 326,000 and the number declined to 213,000 by 2019. The state government in 2014 had declared the camel as the state animal by issuing a notification. In 2015, the Rajasthan government had implemented an act for the welfare and protection of camels.

As per law, camel slaughter has been banned. Also, the transport of the animal out of the state sans permission is prohibited.