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CAMEL REARING IN DESERT AND EMPLOYMENT

SUBMITTED BY

DEEPALI SINGH, ROLL NO-1408, 5th SEMESTER, B.B.A.LLB

SUBMITTED TO

Dr.S.C.ROY, FACULTY OF LABOUR LAW

FINAL DRAFT SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT OF THE COURSE OF LABOUR


LAW-II FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE B.B.A.LLB. (Hons.) COURSE

OCTOBER, 2017

CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

NYAYA NAGAR, MITHAPUR PATNA-800001, BIHAR

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT…………………………………………………………………….3

DECLARATION ……………………………………………………………………………..4

CONCEPT ............................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

ISSUES ...................................................................................................................................... 5

RESEARCH QUESTIONS………..……………………………………………………….…5.

HYPOTHESIS…………………...……………………………………………………………5

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY............................................................................................... 6

SOURCES OF DATA: .............................................................................................................. 6

SURVEY OF DATA ................................................................................................................. 6

CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………..8

 CAMEL REARING IN DESRT

CHAPTER 2- CAMEL REARING A WAY OF EMPLOYMENT………………………....11

CHAPTER 3 -CASE STUDY ON CAMEL REARING…………………………………….16

CHAPTER 4- MAJOR ISSUES RELATED TO CAMEL REARING……………………...18

CHAPTER 5- CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS………………………………….......22

BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………………24

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researcher take this opportunity to express her profound gratitude and deep regards to her
guide Dr. S.C. ROY for his exemplary for his exemplary guidance, monitoring and constant
encouragement throughout the course of this thesis. The blessing, help and guidance given by
him time to time shall carry the researcher a long way in the journey of life on which the
researcher is about to embark. Lastly, the researcher would like to thank almighty, her
parents, brother, sisters and friends for their constant encouragement without which this
assignment would not be possible.

THANK YOU,
DEEPALI SINGH.

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the work reported in the B.B.A.LL.B (Hons.) Project Report entitled
“CAMEL REARING IN DESERT AND EMPLOYMENT” submitted at Chanakya
National Law University, Patna is an authentic record of my work carried under the
supervision of Dr. S. C ROY. I have not submitted this work elsewhere for any other degree
or diploma. I am fully responsible for the contents of our project report.

DEEPALI SINGH
CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, PATNA
OCTOBER, 2017

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CONCEPT

The camel is often regarded as emblematic of Rajasthan. In Rajasthani folklore it symbolizes


love, and ownership of a camel once signaled status and wealth. It was used for warfare by
the Maharajahs and played an important role in desert communication, transportation and
trade. Historically, camels were thus a valuable commodity used by the ruling classes and by
the business community.
The breeding and supply of the camels required by the elite for battle and commerce was, and
is, the traditional occupation of a Hindu caste known as Raika. The human- camel
relationship and camel culture of Rajasthan is unique from a global perspective, since the
Raika are probably the only camel pastoralists in the world who have developed a deeply
ingrained prohibition against the use of camels for meat. Earlier, there was also a religious
bar against the sale of milk and wool. Raika identity was traditionally based on the belief that
they were created by God to take care of the camel. Therefore they regarded themselves as
guardians of the camel in the true sense of the word, feeling responsible for the well-being of
this animal. The community outlawed the sale of female camels, female camels were part of
the dowry and for the marriage ritual the bridegroom had to be seated on a camel. Due to this
intimate association with the camel over the centuries, the Raika also accumulated a large
body of indigenous knowledge related to camel management, breeding, disease treatment,
and behavior.

ISSUES:

India has a good natural resource base, an adequate R&D infrastructure and excellence in
several areas. As a result the camel riding scenario of the country has been changing fast.
Both production and productivity of has increased manifold. The demand of camel riding is
on the rise due to the increasing population, changing food habits, and greater emphasis on
value addition and export. Further in the era of globalization, produce has to be of
international quality and globally competitive. The future expansion of camel riding has to be
in and semi arid areas and on underutilized areas. Many crores of rupees are spent for camel
riding by government of India and Rajasthan tourism in every year plans. Yet this money and
scheme does not reach the poor people in the Rural India but with the little own savings and

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the little money of individual household and the involvement of own family members
produces for self consumption and the surplus for the market.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

The researcher has formulated the following research questions:

1. What is the meaning of the term Camel Rearing?


2. Can the practice of camel rearing generate self employment among people?
3. What are the various schemes and programmes related to the camel rearing taken by
the government?
4. What are the major issues related to camel rearing practice in India?

HYPOTHESIS:

The researcher has formulated the following hypothesis, the validity of which has been tested
in the course of research.

(i) There has been rise in the practice of camel rearing in India in the past several
years.
(ii) Camel Rearing has made lower section of society more self reliant by generating
self employment.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The researcher has used only doctrinal method of research.

Sources of Data:
Secondary Sources - Books, magazines, journals and websites.

Survey of data
Library of CNLU, Patna.

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Limitations
The researchers lack monetary and other resources. The research will be confined to a time-
limit. The research will be only doctrinal. For the doctrinal work the researcher will be
confined to library of CNLU and internet sources.

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CH-1 INTRODUCTION

A camel is an even-toed ungulate in the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits
known as "humps" on its back. The three surviving species of camel are the dromedary, or
one-humped camel (C. dromedarius), which inhabits the Middle East and the Horn of Africa;
the Bactrian, or two-humped camel (C. bactrianus), which inhabits Central Asia; and the
critically endangered wild Bactrian camel (C. ferus) that has limited populations in remote
areas of northwest China and Mongolia. Bactrian camels take their name from the historical
Bactria region of Central Asia (Yam & Khomeiri, 2015).1 Additionally one other species of
2
camel in the separate genus Camelops, C. hesternus 3lived in western North America and
became extinct when humans entered the continent at the end of the Pleistocene. Both the
dromedary and the Bactrian camels have been domesticated; they provide milk, meat, hair for
textiles or goods such as felted pouches, and are working animals with tasks ranging from
human transport to bearing loads.

The term camel is derived via Latin and Greek (Latin: camelus and Greek: κάμηλος kamēlos
respectively) from Hebrew or Phoenician gāmāl.4 Most of the world's camels are dromedaries
(94%) while Bactrian camels and wild Bactrian camels make up only 6% of the total camel
population (Yam & Khomeiri, 2015).5 "Camel" may also be used more broadly to describe
any of the seven camel-like mammals in the family Camelidae: the three true camels and the
four New World camelids (the llama, alpaca, guanaco, and vicuña).

The one-humped camel is practically symbolic for Rajasthan. But over the last ten years this
domestic animal has experienced a decline in its population, estimated to be about 50%. This
development has grave implications for the sustainable utilization of Rajasthan's arid lands
and its resilience to drought. It will also affect the several hundred thousand families below
the poverty line who depend on camels for their living. These include camel-breeders who

1
Ali Zarei Yam, Barat; Khomeiri, Morteza (26 November 2015). "Introduction to Camel origin, history, raising,
characteristics, and wool, hair and skin: A Review" (PDF). Research Journal of Agriculture and Environmental
Management. 4 (11): 496–508. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
2
Heintzman, Peter D.; Zazula, Grant D.; Cahill, James A.; Reyes, Alberto V.; MacPhee, Ross D.E.; Shapiro,
Beth (2 June 2015). "Genomic Data from Extinct North American Camelops Revise Camel Evolutionary
History". Molecular Biology and Evolution. 32 (9): 2433–2440. PMID 26037535. doi:10.1093/molbev/msv128.
Retrieved 9 April 2017.
3
Baskin, Jon; Thomas, Ronny (1 October 2015). "A review of Camelops (Mammalia, Artiodactyla, Camelidae),
a giant llama from the Middle and Late Pleistocene (Irvingtonian and Rancholabrean) of North America".
Historical Biology. 28 (1–2): 120–127. doi:10.1080/08912963.2015.1020800. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
4
Herper, Douglas. "camel". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
5
"camel". The New Oxford American Dictionary (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press, Inc. 2005.

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keep herds of female camels so they can sell their male offspring, camel users who own a
single camel and cart, artisans who process camel products (wool, skin, and bones), and
camel handlers working in the tourist business. The people most closely associated with the
camel in Rajasthan are the Raika, who earlier took care of the camel breeding herds (tolas) of
the Maharajahs. Originally the Raika acted as guardians of the camel. They never sold female
camels outside the community, and abhorred the idea of selling camels for meat. But due to
severe pressures these social mechanisms are now breaking down. Thousands of female
camels were sold for slaughter from the Pushkar Fair in 2003. Camels currently represent a
typical “orphan commodity” for whose survival no public institution or agency feels
responsible. 6
Camel production is a major source of livelihood for the
pastoralists in the arid and semi-arid lands of India, which hosts 6% of the Indian camel
population The total population of camels in India was three million, according to the latest
census in 2009 as compared to a population of 0.8 million in the 1999 census. This is an
indication that the camel population in India has continued to increase despite the effects of
climate change.7 Today, some communities which did not previously keep camels have
started rearing some to supplement their cattle production, especially during the dry seasons.
8
Camels have been referred to as the desert dairy due to the important roles they play in the
India. They are able to survive well in the desert due to their biological and physiological
adaptations which help them cope with harsh environmental conditions.9 They drink less
water as compared to other livestock species, and they have the ability to stay for many days
without water, an ability which they owe to their remarkable tolerance of dehydration while
keeping the blood volume normal. It was noted that camels in the India have a varied diet
which includes shrubs and trees. Field estimated that the volume of milk produced by camels
is six times that produced by indigenous cattle found in the dry lands. Despite the important
roles played by camels in the pastoral communities of northern India, they have been
neglected by scientists, by policymakers and by the government. Farm India has observed

6
Chand, Khem & Jangid, Babu & Rohilla, P.P. & Kachhawaha, Subhash. (2010). Economics of camel
production in Rajasthan. Journal of Camel Practice and Research. 17. 15-20.
7
Richter, L K The Polities of Tourism in Asia University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, HI (1989) .
8
Field, CR. 2005. Where there is no development agency: A manual for pastoralists and their promoters.
Aylesford: Natural Resources International.
9
https://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/~sallen/kathy/Shackley%20(1996).%20Community%20impact%20of%20the%20ca
mel%20safari%20industry%20in%20Jaisalmar,%20Rajasthan.pdf

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that camels have been neglected and underused for a long time. Different scheme made
similar observations that, despite the advantages the camel has over other domestic animals,
it has been neglected, with most research efforts being directed to cattle and shoats, among
others.10

10
https://pastoralismjournal.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s13570-014-0013
6?site=pastoralismjournal.springeropen.com

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CH-2 CAMEL REARING A WAY TO EMPLOYMENT

The significance of the camel for livelihoods

Conventional analysis has attributed the decline in the camel population to a diminishing
demand of these animals for work, due to their replacement by tractorsand trucks. This may
be true in some parts of Rajasthan, such as Ganganagar district where wealthy farmers can
afford tractors. But participatory evaluation of the situation with Raika camel breeders
reveals that lack of pasture and impact of disease is rendering camel breeding not only
uneconomical, but almost impossible; this forces them to abandon their hereditary activity. In
Pali district, continuous pressure by forest officials for bribes and abuse by landowners make
camel breeding an extremely unattractive option for the younger generation. Raika camel
herders in Pali district unanimously feel that they are the last generation involved in this
occupation and that their children will search for employment in the cities. Nonetheless, the
significance of the camel as basis of the livelihoods of some very poor and marginal
communities remains undiminished.

These camel dependent communities include:


• Around 20,000 families from the Raika caste who own herds of female camels and make a
living from selling the young animals. Some of these families (in Mewar, Malva and
Godwar) generate additional income by selling camel milk, alleviating the chronic milk
shortages typical of many rural areas.
• An estimated 250,000 people and their families who own a male working camel plus cart
and make their living from providing short and medium distance transportation in large cities,
in remote desert areas and in the hilly areas of the Aravalli range.
• Entire villages in the Thar Desert depend on a camel to lift water from deep wells.
• Many Untouchable castes receive income from the processing of camel products. Although
poorly documented, these secondary industries include leather and bone work.
• The population of Rajasthan as a whole benefits from the camel as an ecofriendly source of
energy. In some parts of Rajasthan, such as the Godwar area, camel dung is exchanged with
grain and makes an important contribution to upholding soil fertility. Most significantly,
during the recent droughts camels have thrived by comparison with other livestock under
scoring their superb adaptation to the local conditions. From the perspective of environmental

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sustainability camels with their minimal impact on vegetation and low water requirements are
definitely preferable to goats and buffaloes.
• Finally, without the camel, Rajasthan would lose much of its attraction as a tourist
destination.

Economic role of the camel in Rajasthan.

1. Transport

Throughout much of its distribution area, the dromedary camel is an important source of food
(Farah and Fischer, 2004). But in India the camel is traditionally regarded as Saving the
camel and people’s livelihoods a draught animal and means of transportation, while its food
potential is largely ignored. In the Thar desert, camel carts are still popular and remain a
frequent means of transportation. They fulfil this function not only in remote rural areas, but
also in the major cities. In Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaipur, camel-drawn carts are ubiquitous.
They move goods of all kinds, especially wood, fodder, gas cylinders, fabrics, bricks, etc.
The typical two-wheeled carts are a relatively recent invention dating back to the 1950s.
Ownership of a camel and a cart is a solid source of income, sufficient to support a family.
For this reason, development agencies (such as Heifer Project International) and regional
banks support loans for the purchase of a camel cart. According to studies by the National
Research Centre on Camel, the average daily income from camel carting was Rs 300 and Rs
140 in city and village areas, respectively, versus a daily expenditure of Rs 40/camel/day.
The income from camel carting was estimated to be higher in city areas as compared to rural
areas because camel keepers in the city area had more opportunities to transport different
agricultural commodities and construction materials than those operating in the rural areas
(NRCC, 2004). In the hilly parts of the state (Aravalli range and southern Rajasthan), the
camel continues to be used as beast of burden, notably for the transportation of harvested
crops, such as chili peppers, chara, etc. It can carry loads weighing 150–300 kg over long
distances and 450 kg over short distances. Other chores performed by camels include
threshing, lifting of water and powering of oil mills. The camel is used as riding animals
mainly in the Jaisalmer area, where it exerts considerable draw on tourists. This is utilized by
the Department of Tourism which organizes a Camel Festival in Bikaner and promotes other
camel games, such as racing and polo at various festivals (Gahlot and Chada, 2000). Finally,

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the camel also maintains some military significance, being used to patrol the desert border.
The Border Security Force keeps 1750 camels for this purpose in Rahasthan.

2. Camel milk

Camel milk is a by-product of camel breeding which is consumed primarily by herdsmen


(especially on migration) and by their families. In Rajasthan, there are traditional cultural
restrictions on the sale and processing of camel milk, and it is not marketed in the core camel
breeding areas, such as Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. But in the late 1990s, there was a
large “grey” camel market in the northern tip of Madhya Pradesh (Mandsaur, Jarwa, Ratlam,
Indore, Bhopal, and Ujjain) and in parts of southern Rajasthan (Bhilwara, Chittorgarh,
Udaipur, Kotah, Nimbahera) which proceeded at tea-stalls, to private households, or under
the guise of cow/buffalo milk to dairies. The average daily yield of a lactating camel is
around 2 kg, although some owners assert that individual yields can be as high as 6 kg or
more. The production system is extensive – came l herds are usually stationed about 10–15
km from the towns and supported exclusively on natural graze, mostly consisting of tree
vegetation. Some of the trees include Acacia nilotica ,Prosopis cineraria,Capparis decidua,
Balanites aegyptiaca, Zizyphus glabrata, Acacia leucophloea and Acacia senegal. The camels
are milked twice or thrice per day, usually during the night, because the milk is collected in
the early morning. The income generated from milk sales can be substantial, exceeding the
returns from selling the young male offspring.

3. Camel meat

Earlier, camels were not slaughtered in India, except in a clandestine fashion. The
consumption of camel meat is not acceptable to most castes, and the Raika are unique among
camel pastoralist worldwide in rejecting the use of camels for meat. In a small number of
cities with large Muslim populations (for instance Tonk), there has been a tradition of
sacrificing a camel at the occasion of important Muslim holidays. Within Rajasthan, eating
of camel meat is therefore restricted to rare occasions and religious minorities. However,
since the last couple of years, an increasing number of camels are leaving the state to be sold
for slaughter in other parts of India, especially West Bengal, but also Bangladesh and
purportedly for export to the Middle East. Several thousand camels, mostly females, were
sold for this purpose at the Pushkar Fair in 2002 and 2003. In February 2003, camel

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smuggling across the border between West Bengal and Bangladesh resulted in a shootout
between Indian and Bangladeshi border troops.

4. Camel wool

Camel wool is utilized by camel breeders for the manufacture of items to be used in their own
household such as rugs, blankets, charpais and saddle girths. Similarly to camel milk, there
were earlier certain cultural restrictions on the sale of wool. Because of low wool yields and
short fibre, there appears to be only limited potential for commercial use of camel wool.

5. Camel leather

The skins of camels are especially useful for manufacturing lampshades, toys, drum covers
and certain types of containers. They are also used as material for shoes; according to
members of the leather working community, there is no tanning facility in Rajasthan and
skins have to be transported to south India for this purpose. A regional specialty used to be
the kuppa or kuppi, painted vessels for oil, ghee and perfume painted in an intricate pattern.
Because of lack of demand this artisan industry has now stopped.

6. Camel bones

Similar to the bones of other animals, camel bones are processed into fertilizer (bone meal).
They are also used as in lieu of ivory for the production of jewellery and ornaments, as well
as for manufacturing inlaid furniture. Logistics are complicated by the fact that the nearest
facility for cleaning bones is located in Uttar Pradesh, requiring transport to and fro.

7. Camel dung

Camel dung represents an important fertilizer and plays, or played, a significant role in the
relationship between camel breeders and farmers. Although the fertilizing effect of camel
dung is not as high as that of goat or sheep dung, it is regarded as better than cow dung.
Although its effect is retarded, since it takes longer for camel dung to decompose, it lasts for
3 years. Sedentary camel breeders sell camel dung by the cartload or exchange it for grain.

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Nomadic camel pastoralists receive compensation in kind from the owners of the land on
which their herds stay over night. Even higher fertilizing value is attributed to camel urine.

Ecological benefits of camels

Ecologists emphasize that camel grazing has very little, if any, damaging effect on desert
vegetation and does not contribute to desertification, for its foraging habits are optimally
suited to areas with a low carrying capacity (Köhler-Rollefson, 1994b). Camel herds disperse
over huge areas instead of clustering together like sheep. While goats often ravage a whole
shrub in one extended feeding session, camels tend to take only one or two bites before
moving on to the next bush or tree. In addition, their flat pad-like feet are believed to be
gentle on the soil surface and not carve it up like the sharp cloven hooves of small ruminants
(Gauthier-Pilters and Dagg, 1981). Camels also have a very efficient feed conversion rate and
according to some calculations require only 1.9 kg of dry matter to produce 1 liter of milk,
compared with 9.1 kg in cows.

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CH-3 CASE STUDY OF CAMEL REARING IN RAJASTHAN.

The present investigation was conducted in arid region of Bikaner district of Rajasthan. Two
tehsils Bikaner and Sri Dungargarh were selected. From each tehsil, four villages were
selected randomly and from each village fifteen camel keepers were selected thus making a
sample of 120 camel keepers. The study revealed that majority of camel keepers 95.83 per
cent belong to Hindu religion, whereas 64.17 per cent camel keepers belong to backward
caste and 54.17 per cent respondents live in nuclear families. The family size of surveyed
respondents was more than 5 members in 64.17 per cent families and 54.17 per cent
respondents were in 35-60 years age group. Overall 63.33 per cent camel keepers were
illiterate. The main source of irrigation was tube wells for 64.17 per cent respondents. Overall
53.33 per cent camel keepers were get media information. Majority of camel keepers at 67.50
per cent were depends on Agriculture and Animal Husbandry as an occupation. Survey
results indicated that overall 97.50 per cent respondents were land holders. Maximum camel
keepers at 50.83 per cent earned annual income from camel rearing occupation was recorded
as Rs. 20000-50000 and again 50.83 per cent respondents got overall income Rs.30000-
80000. Survey revealed that maximum operations like feeding, grazing/browsing, milking,
sale of animals, care of young stock, breeding, care of sick animals, control of ecto-parasites,
control of endo-parasites, ploughing and carting were carried out at 47.50, 74.16, 88.33,
94.17, 44.17, 81 95.83, 60.83, 67.50, 89.17, 92.50 and 76.67 per cent, respectively by men
whereas, only cleaning operations in majority was performed (59.17 per cent) by female
members of family. Results show that the role of womens and children in camel management
was observed to assist men to complete the operations. Most of the camel keepers at 67.50
per cent housed their camels in house attached to their residence and had not constructed any
type of shed (97.50%) with no boundary wall (79.17%) and no floor (84.17%) with not using
any roofing material (95.84%).

Most of the camel keepers did not have water trough (97.50), and feeding
manger (56.67%) in camel houses. Majority of camel keepers at 85.00 per had not provided
protection against cold. Significant effect of herd size was observed on site of housing, source
of drinking water and housing of breeding male. Semi stall feeding was adopted by maximum
respondents at 55.00 per cent and camels were usually grazed on community pasture land for
more than 5 hours daily. Most of the camel keepers 65.00 per cent preserved the tree leaves.
The green fodder was not offered by 82.50 per cent camel keepers. Only 15.00 per cent of
camel keepers provided 1-2 kg concentrate to their camels and used cereals as concentrate.

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Maximum camel keepers were not aware to provide mineral mixture and comman salt
feeding. Significant effect of camel herd size was observed on mode of feeding, grazing
hours and concentrate feeding of animals. The majority at 51.67 per cent of camel keepers
were not aware about heat detection. The age at first mating was recorded as 40-48 months
maximum in 56.67 per cent she camels. Only natural service was used for breeding due to
non-availability of artificial insemination services in camels. Maximum respondents at 70.83
per cent have their own breeding male. About 95.00 per cent respondents reported heat
during winter season. Maximum camel keepers 60.83 per cent confirm the pregnancy in she
camels by enlargement of abdomen. Pregnant she camels were also housed with other
animals and send for grazing in pasture with other animals. Most of camel keepers at 80.83
per cent used their camels in rutting period. Physical appearance was used as a criterion for
selection of breeding male by 53.33 per cent camel keepers. The association of herd size with
keeping and selection of breeding male and housing of pregnant female was highly
significant whereas, association with rest of the breeding practices with herd size was
nonsignificant. Majority of camel keepers at 51.67 per cent practiced deworming while 28.50
camel keepers did not adopt control of external parasites through scientific measures.

The effect of herd size on health care practices viz. isolation of sick animals,
deworming and sanitization were significant while, on rest of practices was non-significant.
Most of camel keepers preferred to sale their animals in own village round the year on the
basis of physical appearance and maximum camel milk was used by owners for their home
consumption. Marketing practices like marketing of camel and time to market the animal
were significantly affected by herd size. 82 Maximum camel keepers at 58.33 per cent were
not aware about Cleaning of calves after birth and only 6.66 per cent were well aware about
disinfection of naval cord. Colostrum feeding to calf and suckling of calf for more than 3
month was practiced by 98.33 and 96.67 per cent camel keepers, respectively. About 55.83
per cent respondents were keep camel for carting purpose. Herd size was affected
significantly by housing and stage of grazing of calf. The most serious constraints perceived
by the camel keepers in the study was lack of grazing area followed by high cost of
veterinary aid, Inadequate price for animal, and non-availability of green fodder respectively
in the area surveyed.11

11
http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/97639.

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CH-4 MAJOR ISSUE RELATED TO CAMEL REARING

1. Decline in camel population

The camel population of India at the time of the 1951 census was 600,000 and increased to
well over one million by the 1987 census. This made India the country with the third largest
camel population in the world, after Somalia and Sudan. Between 1987 and 1992 a marginal
decline of 0.37% to 0.59% was recorded in Rajasthan. But numbers decreased from 756,088
to 668,237 head between 1992 and 1997, amounting to a decrease of 11.6% (while all other
types of livestock, especially goats and buffaloes increased in number). The number of young
camels fell by 50% during this period – a development that indicated a drop in camel-
breeding activities.

According to the provisional figures of the livestock census conducted in 2003, Rajasthan’s
camel population has now dropped below half a million (498,000) – a 24% drop since 1997.
This steep decline is also indicated by our own household surveys. In two tehsils of Pali
District, the camel population was reduced by almost 50% between 1995 and 2004.12

Table 1. Camel population in Bali and Desuri tehsils of Pali District, 1995 and 2004

Desuri Bali Total

1995 1026 783 1809

2004 556 396 952

Reduction 45.8% 49.4% 47.4%

Another crucial observation concerns the fact that thousands of camels (at least 50% of them
female) were sold for slaughter at the Pushkar fair in November 2003. Ten years ago, selling
of camels for meat was unheard-of in Rajasthan, and there were deeply ingrained social
restrictions against this among the Raika, the traditional camel-breeding caste, which own

12
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292080345_Economics_of_camel_production_in_Rajasthan

18
camel 80% of female camels. Now the sense of custodianship that obtained in this
community is rapidly breaking down, and this is probably the greatest reason for concern. 13

2. Socio-economic context of camel breeding and keeping

In Rajasthan, several hundred thousand families below the poverty line depend on camels for
their living. These include

 An estimated 20,000 families who own herds of female camels and make a living
from selling the young animals. Some Raika families (in Mewar, Malva and Godwar)
generate additional income by selling camel milk, alleviating the chronic milk
shortages typical of many rural areas.

 An estimated 200,000 people and their families who own a male working camel plus
cart and make their living from providing short- and medium-distance transportation
in large cities, in remote desert areas and in the hilly areas of the Aravalli range.

 Entire villages in the Thar Desert depend on a camel to lift water from deep wells.

 Artisans from lower castes receive income from the processing of camel products.
Although poorly documented, these secondary industries include leather and bone
work. Camel bone has replaced ivory and is used to make jewellery and other
elaborately decorated objects popular with tourists. 14

The people of the Raika community are closely associated with the camel in Rajasthan,
representing the traditional caretakers of the camel breeding herds (tolas) of the Maharajahs.
Other communities breeding camels include Rajput, Muslim, Charan, Bishnoi, Gujjar, and
Jat. The camel breeding system varies according to agro-ecological zone. In the most western
districts (Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer), camels range freely during most of the year and are
herded and supervised only during the rainy season. The owners remain settled in the
villages. In central Rajasthan, where crop cultivation is practised, camel herds require
supervised herding throughout the year and therefore some degree of nomadism by their
owners. Some large herds in Pali district are almost continuously on the move. In some

13
Agrawal R.P., Swami S.C., Beniwal R., Kochar D.K., Sahani M.S., Tuteja F.C., Ghouri S.K., 2003. Effect of
camel milk on glycemic control, risk factors and diabetes quality of life in type-1 diabetes: a randomised
prospective controlled study. J. Camel Res. Pract.,10, 45–50.
14
https://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/~sallen/kathy/Shackley%20(1996).%20Community%20impact%20of%20the%20c
amel%20safari%20industry%20in%20Jaisalmar,%20Rajasthan.pdf

19
pockets of Rajasthan, camels may also be kept in zero-grazing systems, although not usually
for breeding.

The young male camels are sold at one of the livestock fairs, which take place in Pushkar,
Nagaur, Balotra, and other places. Very young camels that cannot yet be used for work are
often purchased by Minas and Bhats who will later sell them to the end users. 15

Reasons for the decline of the camel population

“In India the rapid development of irrigation is causing great changes in the camel-country,
and, in many instances, breeds formerly famous for their good qualities have died out, and
others even now are in the process of extinction as breeds…; the closure of jungles by the
Forest Department in the North Punjab is another factor responsible for the loss of a good
hill breed.”

This comment was made by A.S. Leese, a colonial veterinarian, in 1927. The scenario he
described with reference to the state of Punjab is perhaps the most appropriate for Rajasthan
today.

 Shrinking grazing resources represent the most significant problem. Lack of food
undermines the nutritional status of camel herds, making them vulnerable to diseases and
negatively affecting reproductive rates.

While the demand for camels as work animals may have fallen in some areas, the prime
causal factor for the population decline is the disappearance of grazing grounds that can
support viable camel breeding herds. This is evident in many parts of Rajasthan. For example
in Pali district the traditional summer pastures have become part of the Kumbhalgarh
Wildlife Sanctuary, so are closed to grazing. Similarly around the Indira Gandhi Canal that
cuts through former prime camel-breeding areas, pastureland has been transformed into
farmlands, whereas in district Sanchore the expansion of a gaushala is crowding out camel
breeding herds. The advent of bore wells has changed the cropping pattern scenario in the
entire camel-breeding and grazing ranges. The neglect of traditional community managed
Gocher and Oran (mostly pasturelands) has also contributed significantly to the loss of
grazing areas.

 In many parts of Rajasthan, camel breeders have no access to prophylactic health care and
medicines.

15
http://www.pastoralpeoples.org/docs/camel_conf_proc.pdf

20
 There are no organized markets for camel milk, wool and leather; camel milk is
discriminated against by the dairy cooperatives.

 Low status and backward image of camel breeding, lack of respect for the comprehensive
traditional knowledge of the Raika community; lack of encouragement and moral support
for camel breeders.16

Institutional context

Camels currently represent a typical orphan commodity. No one (be it a public institution,
government or non-government agency) feels responsible for its survival. The Department of
Animal Husbandry of Rajasthan focuses on cattle and buffaloes. The National Research
Centre on Camel in Bikaner is entirely research-oriented and does not involve itself in
policymaking. Conservation agencies and the Forest Department seem mainly interested in
wildlife and often antagonistic towards camels, deeming them a threat to the vegetation.

If we seriously intend to save the camel, this situation has to change. The crisis needs to be
acknowledged, discussed and acted upon at the highest level. It has to become a priority issue
for the government and a question of regional pride to maintain camels in reasonable
numbers. A multi-pronged approach involving various government departments in
combination with policy changes is needed to address the main problems.17

16
http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/33056/9/09_chapter%202.pdf
17
Akshay Kumar, “Tourism Management”, Commonwealth Publishers, New Delhi, 1997.

21
CH-5 CONCLUSION

The nomads of Rajasthan are pastoral and earn their livings by rearing and selling livestock.
Camel, which is uniquely adapted to the harsh conditions of desert, is precious animal for
them as it is used in variety of ways. For them it acts as a mode of transportation, energy,
food and a source of amusement during their cultural festivals. Camel rearing is mainly
pastoral and any natural or man-made change to the pastures directly affect the health of
livestock. Camel production system is traditional and breeding is practiced on set patterns of
knowledge transferred from generation to generation. This type of breeding practice is
leading to loss of pure genetic pool and cross breeds emerging usually do not have desired
characteristics and are of poor quality. Overstocking and overgrazing of existing rangelands
is disturbing the delicate balance of ecosystem, resultantly, the most palatable plant species
are being eradicated and are under the severe threat of extinction. Under these situations, the
grazing behavior of camel can make this animal much suitable and economical. There is a
dire need to encourage the local camel breeders by facilitating them by provision of
veterinary health cover, better marketing facilities, and training of manpower for breeding
techniques. Government interventions for the welfare of this animal can be much fruitful in
terms of camel research and systematic production. This action will not only help in
improving the shortage of meat, milk but also elevate the socio-economic conditions of local
nomads. 18
Shrinking grazing resources and lack of pasture opportunities for large camel herds represent
the most significant problem and root cause for the declining camel population. Want of food
undermines the nutritional status of the herds, making them vulnerable to diseases and
negatively affecting reproductive rates. The situation is compounded by the fact that in many
parts of Rajasthan, camel breeders have no access to prophylactic health care and medicines.
Options for increasing economic returns are reduced because of the absence of an organized
market for camel milk, wool and leather. Camel milk is discriminated against by the dairy
cooperatives. Last, but by no means least, the low status and backward image of camel
breeding, the absence of respect for the comprehensive traditional knowledge of the Raika
community; as well as lack of encouragement and moral support for camel breeders, combine
to make camel-pastoralism a very unattractive livelihood option. If the camel is to remain

18
Shah, M. G., M. Reissmann, A. S. Qureshi and H. J. Schwartz, 2008. Evaluation of six camel breeds for
heterozygocity through Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism.

22
part of Rajasthan’s domestic animal diversity, then it is urgently necessary for all the
stakeholders, including government and non-government sectors, as well as the camel-
breeders to think about remedial measures. The Raika camel breeders need to be listened to
and their concerns be taken seriously. Grazing areas need to be reserved throughout the state,
at least on a seasonal basis. Other countries may have valuable lessons to offer on value-
addition to camel products.
The challenges of the livestock farming for a sustainable
development are not necessary specific to camel. But, as camel is specifically, “the animal of
the desert”, there is a special responsibility for the camel stakeholders, producers, decision-
makers, or scientists. Face to the camel demography growth at the world level, a better
balance with the carrying capacity has to be reached by the intensification of the camel
management while respecting camel diversity and water resources. New camel farming
systems have to propose products with high added values, both in term of quality and of
economic interest for a market more and more sensitive to the ecological conditions of
production.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

WEBSITES: -

1. http://www.pastoralpeoples.org/docs/camel_conf_proc.pdf.
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on_in_Rajasthan.
3. https://pastoralismjournal.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s13570-017-0089-
x?site=pastoralismjournal.springeropen.com.
4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292080345_Economics_of_camel_producti
on_in_Rajasthan.

JOURNALS: -

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