Rajasthan’s camel population is in swift and continuous decline, despite the camel now being state animal. LPPS has been drawing attention to this situation through a series of activities, including many conferences and the Camel Yatra conducted in 2005. And of course we have been involved in many projects and activities trying to support the Raika and other camel breeding communities.
We are curently monitoring the impact of the new law, the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Bill, 2015 on camel breeders. It is causing a lot of confusion among them and it does not create any income opportunities and economic incentives to breed camels. Dairies still do not officially accept camel milk because it is not defined as a food by India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority. This lack of economic rationale for raising camels is forcing even the last camel breeders out of business.
In order to try to revive camel husbandry and to highlight the opportunities in camel breeding if policies are right and investment is forthcoming, LPPS is set to host the Marwar Camel Culture Festival from 27th-29th November. We will keep you updated here as well as on our dedicated website www.camelsofrajasthan.com
