Can New Policies Save India’s Plummeting Camel Population?

The Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan, held in the vast Thar Desert, is often hailed as the world’s largest camel market. This vibrant week-long event, which started on October 30, includes the trading of various livestock such as horses, cattle, goats, and sheep. However, one of the most heartbreaking truths is that the once-thriving herds of camels are becoming increasingly rare.

In villages near Jaisalmer and Bikaner, camel herders are facing a daunting challenge. They struggle to find enough grazing land for their beloved animals and often have difficulty finding buyers. One herder from the Raika community in Bikaner lamented, “In the past, we had hundreds of camels; now, only a few of us have such large numbers.” According to data from the 20th Livestock Census released in October 2019, India’s camel population has plummeted from an estimated 1.1 million in the 1970s to just 250,000 today, representing a staggering 75% decline. Between 2012 and 2019 alone, the numbers dropped by 37%.

Historically, camels have been essential to the lives of communities in India’s desert regions, serving as transporters of water and goods, aids in agriculture, and providers of milk. The worrying decline in camel numbers reflects broader issues in India’s policy landscape, which has often pushed pastoralists and their livelihoods to the edges of society.

The Ongoing Crisis

For much of the 20th century, camels were indispensable in many areas, especially for transport and agricultural practices. However, mechanization in these sectors and the introduction of canal irrigation have drastically reduced available grazing areas. Rajasthan and Gujarat are particularly hard-hit, with nearly 90% of India’s camel population residing in these states. Recent statistics show that Rajasthan’s camel population has dwindled to 212,000, while Gujarat’s numbers have fallen to 27,620.

Interestingly, measures intended to boost the camel population, such as declaring the camel a “heritage animal” in Rajasthan and implementing laws to curb their slaughter, have not yielded the expected results. Many livestock keepers argue that these laws disincentivized camel ownership, especially of males, which are crucial for transporting goods.

In any livestock herd, there is roughly a 50% chance that newborns will be male. Since only a limited number of males are needed for breeding, many are sold off or transported across state lines, often ending up in slaughterhouses despite existing laws against it. Although the ban was recently lifted, no official notifications have been released, leaving the camel population in limbo.

The Cultural Significance of Camels

While camels may appear to be less relevant in contemporary times, their significance extends beyond mere utility. Their capacity to survive with minimal water and food makes them ideal for adapting to a warming climate and increasing desertification in Northwestern India. They also contribute to the ecosystem by enriching the soil and preventing erosion.

Pastoral communities like the Raika and Maldhari have immense traditional knowledge relating to grazing cycles and drought management. Losing camels would mean losing an entire species and invaluable cultural wisdom linked to these magnificent animals.

The Draft Camel Policy: A Glimmer of Hope?

Recognizing the crisis, the Draft Camel Policy Paper released by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying presents urgent proposals for countering the decline. This includes actions like securing grazing rights, reviving camel-based tourism, and promoting breed conservation. Yet a critical question remains: will these policies be enough to make a difference?

In Rajasthan, as part of the Camel Conservation and Development Mission, various initiatives have been set up, including offering Rs 20,000 per calf born and organizing mobile veterinary camps. Gujarat, on the other hand, has introduced breeding centers and disease control programs.

One promising aspect of the draft policy is the focus on the emerging camel milk economy. Initially meant for household consumption, camel milk is gaining traction as a niche product due to its health benefits. Despite producing only about 7,000 tonnes per year, less than 0.2% of the global output, states are now encouraging the growth of this sector. Brands like Amul are experimenting with camel milk-based products, which could have far-reaching impacts, especially in exporting to markets in West Asia.

Critical Challenges Ahead

However, several obstacles remain. The draft policy risks repeating past mistakes by focusing on species alone, failing to address the broader ecosystem in which they exist. For effective camel conservation, strategies must involve interconnected planning across state lines, especially since grazing and movement patterns are affected by administrative boundaries.

Furthermore, increasing pressures from renewable energy projects often convert grazing lands into solar and wind farms. This neglect leaves pastoralists without the vital grazing grounds they rely on.

Thus, it’s crucial to ensure that pastoralists have a seat at the table in any conservation plans; otherwise, we might end up repeating the past failures of laws that unintentionally harm the very communities they aim to protect.

The Path Forward

As India looks to create a climate-resilient rural future, camels symbolize not just survival but the harmony of ancient lifestyles with modern demands. With appropriate policy support, camel herding could become a foundation for a sustainable rural economy, valuing both mobility and ecological integrity.

The National Camel Sustainability Initiative presents a chance to place camel conservation within a larger framework of adaptable livelihoods. However, whether the policy can align with the ecological and economic realities of India’s arid regions remains a significant challenge.

In the end, the fate of India’s camels lies not just in the policies we implement but also in our willingness to respect and integrate the wisdom of those who have cared for them for generations.

SaveTheCamels #CamelConservation #CamelMilk #Rajasthan #SustainableLivelihoods #Pastoralism #ClimateResilience #PushkarFair

Original Text – https://scroll.in/article/1088187/camels-are-vanishing-from-indias-desert-regions-can-a-new-policy-push-save-them?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=public