Camel Slaughter Banned In Rajasthan

29 March, Jaipur

The Rajasthan Assembly has passed a law that bans the slaughter, trading and unauthorised transportation of camels.

Camel had been declared as the State animal last year though there was some opposition from the communities whose livelihoods depend on camel.

The Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Bill, 2015 was passed by the state assembly yesterday also makes causing injury to camel punishable. Camel slaughter is punishable for up to five years and monetary fine.

Allaying apprehensions raised by the Opposition and the BJP members over some provisions of the Bill, including piercing of nose which could be punishable under intentional injury, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Lal Saini said rituals and traditional practices would not be made punishable.

Saini said Camel is presently endangered and in need for initiation of sincere efforts for its conservation and protection, due to an alarming steep population decline observed in the recent past.