Getting past the hump: How India can stem decline of its camel population

India is home to several camel breeds, including Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri and Mewari in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, and Kachchhi and Kharai in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Ladakh’s inhospitable high-altitude cold desert climes also support two-humped Bactrian camels.

But over the years, India’s camel population has witnessed a sharp decline. As per the 20th Livestock Census, the total number of camels in the country stood at 2,52,956 in 2019, a fraction of the 11 lakh camels that once lived in the country in 1977. In fact, the population decline has been rapid in recent years: even in 2013, there were around 4 lakh camels in India.

State wise distribution of camels * Rajasthan: 2.12 lakh Breeds include Bikaneri and Jaisalmeri. The state is the major source of camels for Pushkar Fair and Border Security Force (BSF) units. A camel-mounted BSF unit patrolling the International Border with Pakistan in Rajasthan. Express Archive * Gujarat: 27,620 The state’s famous Kharai camels can swim in coastal regions and feed on mangroves. Story continues below this ad Kharai camel swimming in a mangrove in Kutch, Gujarat. Express Photo by Javed Raja * Haryana: 5,154. * Punjab: 120 * Uttar Pradesh: 2,424 * Madhya Pradesh: 1,753 In these states, camels are mainly used for agriculture and cart-pulling in semi-arid regions, in traditional fairs, and transportation in tribal areas, and small-scale dairy purposes.  * Ladakh: 298 Double-humped Bactrian camels are used for tourism and local transport in Ladakh’s Nubra Valley. A double-humped Bactrian camel in Ladakh. Wikimedia Commons

Dr K M L Pathak, who served as the Director, ICAR-National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner during 2006-09, blames the mechanisation of agriculture for the decline in the camel population.

“The camel is an important animal of the desert ecosystem and has always been highly useful. However, after the Green Revolution, with the advent of tractorisation and mechanisation, its utility has almost disappeared,” he said. “The Raika community, which has been engaged in camel-rearing for centuries, is facing a generational shift: the younger generation of this community are no longer interested in continuing the traditional profession of camel-rearing,” Pathak told The Indian Express.

Promoting camel milk

The only viable way to conserve camels, according to Pathak, is to promote camel rearing for milk production.

“Camel milk is highly nutritious and contains valuable proteins and minerals beneficial to human health… Research has established that camel milk is effective in managing several human ailments. During my tenure as Director of NRC Camel, Bikaner significant progress was made in this area and India’s first Camel Dairy was established at NRC Camel, Bikaner, as a result of those efforts. Consequently, camel milk is now being marketed by Amul, which is a promising development. However, much more needs to be done,” Pathak said.

While there have been efforts to support camel milk processing in Gujarat, similar efforts are not visible elsewhere. And despite the camel milk’s numerous health benefits, its demand has not picked up.

One reason for this are the myths surrounding it.

“Even today, many myths prevail about camel husbandry and camel milk. There is a strong need to create greater awareness in this field,” said Pathak.

Latest proposal

As per the Ministry’s camel policy paper, “While the camel economy continues to shrink, policy measures at both central and state levels have largely remained fragmented, reactive, and underfunded. Camels do not receive focused attention under India’s mainstream livestock development programs, which typically prioritise cattle, buffaloes, poultry, and small ruminants”.

“The National Livestock Mission (NLM) includes camels among its supported species, but implementation is limited to scattered support for breeding and small-scale entrepreneurship. There is no dedicated national policy or coordinated mission for camels. Institutional programs lack convergence and fail to address the semi-nomadic, transhumant, and community-governed nature of camel herding”.

The NSCI will thus “initiate a centrally coordinated platform to drive camel sustainability through conservation, rangeland management, veterinary innovation, and livelihood diversification”. It will also foster cross-sectoral coordination among the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Tourism, and State governments.

A decked up camel in Pushkar. Express Photo by Rohit Jain Paras

Crucially, it suggests reforming the trade in camels, removing legal barriers and bringing in new regulation.

“Review of and amend the Rajasthan Camel Act to balance conservation with livelihood rights. Facilitate safe, traceable inter-state trade mechanisms supported by transport infrastructure and e-market platforms,” the draft policy states.

Lastly, the policy calls for a national camel awareness campaign. “Integrate camel themes into school textbooks, public service campaigns, and rural fairs. Celebrate World Camel Day (June 22) with nationwide events showcasing camel culture, conservation, and innovation.”