India's camel population, once the third largest globally, is witnessing a precipitous decline, sparking calls for immediate intervention to protect these iconic animals and their traditional herders.
Speaking at a national workshop on camel milk production in Bikaner, Rajasthan, on Friday, Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), stressed the critical need for targeted measures.
“The National Livestock Mission is a key instrument for preserving grazing lands and supporting herding communities,” she stated.
The workshop, coinciding with the United Nations’ declaration of 2024 as the International Year of Camelids, brought together over 150 participants, including camel herders and dairy industry stakeholders, to address challenges in camel conservation and milk production.
Takayuki Hagiwara, the FAO Representative in India, expressed optimism: “The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is committed to strengthening the non-bovine milk value chain in India. We aim to unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth, enhance livelihoods, and promote the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of non-bovine milk.”
Decline in numbers
Once numbering 1.1 million in Rajasthan alone during the 1970s, India's camel population has plummeted to just 250,000 today, with 86 per cent in Rajasthan.
The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) reports nine camel breeds in India, including five native to Rajasthan: Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri, Jalori, Marwari, and Mewari.
The decline began in the 1990s due to reduced reliance on camels for transport and agriculture, coupled with shrinking grazing lands caused by development and the spread of irrigation via the Indira Gandhi Canal.
Restrictions under the Rajasthan Camel Act 2015, which criminalised camel trade and transport, further exacerbated the problem, leading to a dramatic fall in camel sales at traditional fairs like Pushkar.
Hanwant Singh Rathore of the Lokhit Pashupalak Sansthan highlighted the economic impact: “A good camel once fetched Rs 70,000. Now, the average price is Rs 3,500, with some selling for as little as Rs 2,000.”
Revival efforts?
The Rajasthan government, under Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, has initiated measures to reverse the decline, relaxing provisions of the Camel Act to allow trade and transport while retaining restrictions on slaughter.
Collaborations with the National Research Centre on Camels (NRCC) in Bikaner aim to enhance conservation through breeding programmes and sustainable utilisation of camel resources.
Efforts are also underway to promote camel milk, which offers medicinal benefits for Type 2 diabetes, heart conditions, and autism. NRCC Director Dr A. Sahoo stated, “To save the camel from extinction, we must diversify its utility. The animal is not just the ship of the desert; it is also a ‘ship of medicine’.”
Camel milk: A growing market
While traditionally not raised for dairy purposes, camels yield 3-4 litres of milk daily. Products like camel milk powder, cheese, and ghee are gaining traction, though Rajasthan's dairy federation has yet to follow Gujarat’s example.
The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation markets camel milk under the Amul brand, offering Rs 50 per litre to herders and ensuring a stable market.
Private ventures in Rajasthan, such as Aadvik Foods and the Urmul Trust, have begun establishing chilling and pasteurisation facilities.
Rathore remarked, “Our camel dairy, Charisma, sells 100 litres a day, paying owners Rs 60-70 per litre. But demand is still nascent.”
Experts believe replicating Gujarat’s success could stabilise Rajasthan's camel population while creating sustainable livelihoods.
As stakeholders rally for the camel’s survival, the workshop concluded with camel races and decoration competitions, celebrating the enduring cultural and economic significance of India’s “ship of the desert.”
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