Rajasthan HC Summons Animal Husbandry Director Over 90% Collapse in State Animal Camel Population

The Rajasthan High Court has directed the Director of Animal Husbandry to appear in person and file an affidavit explaining steps taken to protect the camel, Rajasthan's State Animal, whose population has fallen from 15 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

A Division Bench of the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan at Jaipur, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Maneesh Sharma, expressed serious displeasure on 2 July 2026 over the State's failure to protect the camel — Rajasthan's designated State Animal. The Bench, hearing a suo motu civil writ petition, directed the Director of the Animal Husbandry Department to appear personally on 5 August 2026 and to file an affidavit detailing what concrete steps the State is taking to rear, breed, and maintain the health of camels. The court's intervention follows the Amicus Curiae's disclosure that the camel population in Rajasthan has plummeted from 15 lakh to a mere 1.5 lakh, a decline of ninety per cent, with no satisfactory explanation from the State.

What Brought the Matter Before the Court

The proceedings in D.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 9232/2021 arose suo motu, with Mr. Prateek Kasliwal, assisted by Ms. Gauri Jasana, appearing as Amicus Curiae. The Amicus placed on record that the Animal Husbandry Department has neglected its responsibilities both in providing assistance for camel rearing and in protecting the animal from a steep population decline.

The camel holds the status of State Animal of Rajasthan. The Amicus pointed out that tribal communities who traditionally reared camels have been shifting to other livelihoods. As those communities move away, the burden of ensuring the survival of the species falls more squarely on the State. Yet, according to the Amicus, no proper camel sheds have been provided, there are no dedicated veterinary doctors specialising in camels, and the Animal Husbandry Department has no dedicated training programme relating to camels.

The Legal Framework and Why It Has Not Moved

The State's counsel, Mr. Abhishek Sharma, appearing along with Mr. Vishal Kumar for the State, submitted that the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Amendment Bill, 2021 had been proposed and that some amendments to the principal Act of 2015 had also been drawn up.

The submission, however, carried little weight with the Bench. The court observed that the amendments to the Act of 2015, as proposed, have not seen the light of day. The court recorded explicitly that it was not satisfied with the State's submissions. The gap between the legislative proposal and its actual enactment, combined with the absence of on-ground protective infrastructure, formed the basis of the court's dissatisfaction.

The Bench's Reasoning

The Division Bench did not merely note the population decline in passing. It connected three distinct failures: the absence of camel sheds, the lack of dedicated veterinary doctors, and the absence of any structured training programme within the Animal Husbandry Department. Together, these pointed to systemic neglect rather than an isolated administrative lapse.

The court also drew attention to the social dimension. The tribal communities that historically sustained camel rearing are no longer engaged in that activity. The Bench's reasoning treats this social shift as a factor that increases, not diminishes, the State's obligation. Where private custodianship declines, institutional support from the State must correspondingly increase. The failure to provide that support, in the Bench's view, is inconsistent with the camel's status as the State Animal.

The court's direction for the Director to appear personally — rather than merely filing a response through counsel — reflects the seriousness with which the Bench views the department's accountability. A personal appearance requirement is an indication that the court expects direct, informed answers on policy and ground-level implementation, not formulaic legal submissions.

What the State Must Now Place on Record

By 5 August 2026, the Director of the Animal Husbandry Department must be present before the Division Bench. The Director is required to place before the court a detailed account of:

• what steps are being taken to protect, rear, and breed camels in Rajasthan;
• what steps are being taken to maintain the good health of the animals.

An affidavit to this effect must also be filed. The State will have to demonstrate institutional action, not just legislative intent, when the matter is next heard.

Order

The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Maneesh Sharma, by its order dated 2 July 2026, directed the Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, Rajasthan, to remain present before the court on 5 August 2026. The Director is required to file an affidavit detailing steps being taken to protect, rear, breed, and maintain the health of camels in the State. The matter has been listed for 5 August 2026.