Camel breeders will meet in Bhuj to discuss their problems and find ways to increase the camel population.
The population of camels in Kutch district fell by nearly 50% between 1997 and 2007. In 1997, there were 17,000 camels in the district but by 2007, their numbers had fallen to just 8,500.
The affected camel breeds are Kharai and Kutchi, both of which have been declared as threatened by the Indian government. To raise awareness about different camel breeds, the first International Camel Day will be celebrated in Bhuj on June 22, 2012, the longest day of the year.
June 22 has been approved as the International Camel Day by the official UN authority for the purpose; the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); and the Domestic Animal Diversity (DAD) network.
Several national and international organisations had campaigned for the declaration of International Camel Day.
The day will be celebrated to encourage camel breeding across the world. The population of camels has been falling in many parts of the globe, the decline in their numbers being particularly high in Gujarat.
According to the census of livestock conducted in 2007, the state’s overall camel population has fallen by 28% but in Kutch, the animal’s population declined by over 50%.
“The population of Kutchi camels fell from 17,000 in 1997 to 8,500 in 2007,” Ramesh Bhatti, project co-ordinator, center for pastoralism, told DNA on phone from Bhuj. The population of camels in Gujarat as a whole fell from 53,000 in 2003 to 38,000 in 2007.
Bhatti said that International Camel Day is meant to increase awareness about camel breeding as well as to encourage camel breeders.
“June 22 has been chosen for the International Camel Day because it is the longest and generally the hottest day of the year. Camels are significant for this day,” Bhatti said.
He also said that, on June 22, pastoral communities that breed camels will meet to discuss their problems and find solutions. The first such meeting has been organized in Bhuj on Friday.
The Rann of Kutch is home to the Kutchi and Kharai camels, both of which are exclusive Gujarat breeds.
“The Kutchi breed is recognized by the government and there are many plans to ensure its growth. The Kharai camel breed is yet to be recognized,” Bhatti said.
The groups which had campaigned for the declaration of ‘International Camel Day’ include, International Society of Camel Research and Development (ISCRD), Camel Association of Pakistan (CAP), Society of Animals, Vet and Environmental Scientists (SAVES) and the international network for conservation of domestic animals.
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