ELEPHANT
TRANSFER - ENVIRONMENT
News:
What are the new rules
for elephant transfers? | Explained
What's
in the news?
●
The Union Environment Ministry has
notified a set of rules called the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport)
Rules, 2024.
Key
takeaways:
●
Elephants, classified as Schedule I species under the Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972 enjoy special protection, but certain provisions allow for
their translocation under specific circumstances.
Existing
Regulations on Elephant Transfer:
1.
Legal Framework:
●
The Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972 prohibits the capture or trade of elephants, whether
wild or captive, without appropriate authorization.
2.
Special Provisions:
●
While strict regulations govern elephant
transfer, exceptions exist for educational,
scientific, or religious purposes, subject to approval from wildlife
authorities.
Amendment:
●
The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill,
2022 expanded the scope of elephant transfers, raising concerns among activists
about potential exploitation and illegal trafficking.
Key
Highlights of Captive Elephant Transfer Rules, 2024:
Circumstances
for the Transfer of Captive Elephants:
Transfer may be warranted
under the following circumstances:
●
Incapability
of the Owner: When the owner is incapable of adequately
ensuring the elephant’s welfare.
●
Superior
Care: If it is determined that the elephant will receive
superior care in the new environment compared to its current situation.
●
Improvised
Maintenance: The Chief Wildlife Warden may find it
necessary to transfer the elephant for its improved maintenance based on the
specific circumstances of the case.
Transfer
Within the State:
●
Veterinarian
Check: Prior to any transfer within the state, a
veterinarian must confirm the elephant’s health status.
●
New
Habitat Verification: The suitability of both the current
and prospective habitats must be assessed by the Deputy Conservator of Forests.
●
Chief
Wildlife Warden’s Role: He/She holds the authority to
approve or reject the transfer based on these evaluations.
Transfer
Outside the State:
Similar conditions apply
for transferring elephants beyond state boundaries in addition to
●
Genetic
Profile Registration: Additionally, the elephant’s genetic
profile must be registered with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEF&CC) before the transfer.
Requirements
for Elephant Transfer:
●
Accompanying
the Master: The elephant must be accompanied by a
mahout and an elephant assistant. Adequate provisions for feeding and watering
must be arranged during transport.
●
Fitness
Certificate: A health certificate issued by a
veterinary practitioner confirming fitness for transport is obligatory.
●
Quarantine
Mandate: Transport should commence after the completion of any
required quarantine period for contagious diseases.
●
Refreshment:
Tranquillisers or sedatives: This may be administered to manage nervous or
temperamental elephants as prescribed by the veterinary practitioner.