Camel is the iconic animal of Rajasthan. It is part of the cultural identity & life of the desert state. In 2014, Camels (Camelus dromedaries) have been declared as the State Animal (Livestock) of Rajasthan supporting about 85 per cent of India’s camel population. The other major states with a sizeable camel population include Gujarat, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The identity of Rajasthan, the ship of desert is now fighting for survival. As per Times of India (Nov, 2019), the number of camels arrived for sale at the Pushkar fair is lowest in the last 20 years. The fair is globally projected as the International Camel Fair or world largest camel fair by travel portals. However, there are now projections that in the next five years, camels will disappear from the fair.
The 20th Livestock Census of 2019, has estimated their number at 3223, a drop of 37% percent since 2012 and 75% since 1992.
Articles Related to Camels of Rajasthan
Acts for Protection of Camels in Rajasthan
- The Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Act, 2015 – Download PDF
Schemes for Protection of Camels in Rajasthan
Camel Development Scheme
The camel development scheme that was launched in 2016 with the help of the central government, under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. The government under this scheme gave Rs 10,000 in three instalments on birth of a camel calf. However, the scheme has been put on hold after march 2019.