Kharai Camel

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Context

CAG has asked the Gujarat government to save the ‘Kharai’ breed of camels – popularly known as ‘swimming camels’ – from extinction in a report tabled in Gujarat Assembly.

Highlights of the report

Observing that the swimming camels that live in a dual ecosystem of land and coast are found only in Gujarat, the CAG in its “Performance Audit of Conservation and Management of Coastal Ecosystems” report stated that the Deendayal Port Trust (DPT) was asked to carry out compulsory afforestation to compensate for the destruction of the mangroves.
Mangroves are a lifeline for this distinct breed and destruction of mangroves can threaten its existence.
The State Government may take appropriate action to preserve Mangroves to save the ‘Kharai’ breed of camels from extinction.
Kutch Camel Breeders Association (KCBA), Bhuj had complained regarding the large-scale destruction of mangroves in Nani-Chirai and Moti-Chirai areas of Bhachau taluka by salt pan lessees way back in February 2018.
The NGT in 2019, passed an order directing the forest and environment department to restore the mangroves within six months.
Audit analysis conducted by the CAG revealed that neither the forest department nor the GCZMA took any action on the orders of the NGT including restoration of the mangroves and removal of the bunds.

About Kharai Camel

This particular breed of camels in Kutch, the desert region in Gujarat, has the unique ability to swim in the sea, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “ship of the desert”.

Breeds in Kutch

Kutch, a coastal region of Gujarat, which is also a large desert land, has two camel breeds.
One is the popular Kutchi breed and the other, the Kharai breed, native to the region.
The Kharai breed has the special ability to survive on both, dry land and in the sea, making it an ecotonal breed.
Recognised as a separate breed a few years ago by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, the Kharai camel is probably the only domesticated breed of camel that lives in dual ecosystems.
It is the ninth recognised camel breed of India.

Unique abilities

Kharai camels have a special ability to swim in seawater and feed on saline plants and mangroves, which is how they get their name, Kharai (‘salty’ in Gujarati).
They are also known as dariyataru (meaning sea-swimmer).
Due to their unique diet, these camels swim to islands near the shore in search of food. They have adapted to the extreme climate of the desert, shallow or deep-sea waters, and high salinity.
Kharai camel breeders follow the natural grazing pattern of the camels, which varies seasonally. In fact, the breeders do not build a permanent shelter for these camels because the latter are always on the move.
The Kharai breeders have been breeding these camels for years, but it was only in 2010 that other people came to know about these swimming camels.

Facing threats

Industries in Kutch–salt, thermal power, cement and shipyards, among others–pose a huge threat to the dwindling mangroves.
Most of these industries require constructing jetties in the sea, which results in the cutting down of mangroves that are fodder for the Kharai camels.
The increase in salinity throughout the region and the growth of industrial activities has minimised the availability of camel food and water sources.
Therefore, protecting the mangroves is key to protecting these unique animals.
The only source of income of the Kharai breeders is the sale of young camels, which is declining; the breeders usually consume the camel milk and wool themselves, as those items don’t have a market.

About Camels

Camels are mammals with long legs, a big-lipped snout and a humped back.
There are two types of camels: dromedary camels, which have one hump, and Bactrian camels, which have two humps.
Camels' humps consist of stored fat, which they can metabolize when food and water is scarce.

Ways of adaption

In addition to their humps, camels have other ways to adapt to their environment.
They have a third, clear eyelid that protects their eyes from blowing sand.
Two rows of long lashes also protect their eyes.
Sand up the nose can be a problem, but not for camels. They can shut their nostrils during sand storms.

Uses

Humans have used camels as a means of transport for thousands of years. They can carry about 170 to 270 kilograms on their backs. This earned them a nickname, "ships of the desert."
Domestic camels are often the main source of meat, milk and even leather or wool products.

Size

Most camels tower above humans.
A Bactrian camel grows to a shoulder height of 6 feet and a body length of 10 feet.
Dromedary camels get up to about 6.5 feet tall at the shoulder.

Diet

Their thick lips allow them to eat things that most other animals couldn't, such as thorny plants.
Camels are herbivores.
Filling up on water, when it's available, is very important for camels. They can drink 113 liters of water in just 13 minutes. Their bodies rehydrate faster than any other mammal.

Habitat

The two types of camel are found in different parts of the world.
The dromedary camel, also called an Arabian camel, can be found in North Africa and the Middle East.
The Bactrian camel lives in Central Asia. No matter the type, camels are usually found in the desert, prairie or steppe.

Habits

Camels like to stay together in groups called herds.
The herds are led by a dominant male, while many of the other males form their own herd called a bachelor herd.
Camels are very social and like to greet each other by blowing in each other's faces.

Classification

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) and the domestic Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) were named in 1758 by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus, who only knew of the domestic variety.
Wild Bactrian camels (Camelus ferus) were discovered in 1878 by Nikolai Prejevalsky, a Russian geographer who explored Mongolia and Tibet.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Camelidae
Genus: Camelus Species:
- Camelus bactrianus (Bactrian camel)
- Camelus dromedarius (one-humped camel)

Conservation status

The wild Bactrian camel is considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and has a population that is decreasing.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Which of the following statements with reference to camels is/are correct?

a. All camels have one hump which consists of stored fat, which they can metabolize when food and water is scarce.

b. Camels like to stay together in groups called herds.

c. Camels are herbivores.

Answer: Option 2