Congress Leader Questions Genetic Profiling of Captive Elephants

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has questioned Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav regarding genetic profiling of captive elephants. Ramesh's letter probes how the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change is handling these profiles and maintaining the database. He seeks clarity on the infrastructure and application of this data for elephant protection.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday demanded that Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav clarify a recent circular concerning the transport of captive elephants. Ramesh questioned the methods used to establish genetic profiles for each elephant and the entities responsible for generating and maintaining this data.

In a letter to Yadav, Ramesh highlighted that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reminded Elephant Range States of the 2024 Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules on August 20. The rules mandate that no elephant can be transferred without its genetic profile being entered in the ministry's electronic monitoring application.

Ramesh raised four critical issues needing public clarification, including the process used for genetic profiling and how this data will contribute to the protection of captive and wild elephants. He questioned whether the necessary lab infrastructure is in place to support this initiative.

(With inputs from agencies.)