RS passes Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022. Here is why it is important for Assam

Under the new law, people with valid ownership certificates only can transfer captive elephants for religious, other purposes.

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022. Lok Sabha passed the Bill during the Monsoon session earlier this year.

The passage of the Bill by Parliament assumes significance for states like Assam and southern states because once the Bill becomes a law, only those people with valid ownership certificates would be allowed to transfer or transport captive elephants for religious and other purposes.

Assam is fighting legal battles with Tamil Nadu to bring back Joymala, the elephant who was taken to the southern state and is being allegedly tortured and abused by her mahouts (elephant trainer or keeper).

Videos of Joymala being tortured with pliers and being beaten as she cried out in pain had gone viral triggering strong reactions and criticisms.

The Assam government had rushed a high level team to Tamil Nadu twice but the issue is still pending.

The passage of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022 by both houses of Parliament amends the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to incorporate more species to be protected under the law.

The Bill seeks to implement India’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which requires countries to regulate the trade of all listed specimens through permits.

Replying to the discussion on the Bill, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that the Bill was brought because CITES requires an independent framework for protection of wildlife.

The Winter Session of Parliament stated on began on Wednesday, December 7. The session will have a total of 17 working days.

The BJP-led Central government’s agenda for the winter session of Parliament includes 16 new bills.

(with inputs from ANI)

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