3
For the Camel Corps the following are suitable situations which are
recommended for the monsoon season as non-Surra-zones:—
50th (local troops) and 51st
52nd .
53rd .
54th .
55th .
56th .
57th .
.
.
.
.
.
(local troops.)
(Shahpur troops) .
.
.
*That part
Kala Chitta Reserve; parts of Khaire Moorat
other rakhs on off-shoots of Salt Range.
Salt range rakhs and off-shoots of Salt Range.
Salt range rakhs; and Thal for those which
cannot be accomodated on the Range.
Not yet able to recommend any considerable area.
Ganji Bar.
Ganji Bar and Multan District.
Thal and Salt Range.
Multan District*
described in paragraph 29.
There are some important jungles not yet visited by me in the rains which
may eventually be added to the list; in only three months per annum is this
kind of work possible and they are unfortunately the most difficult to travel in ;
consequently, mapping out fly-zones is extremely slow work. I have not yet
been able to investigate the possibilities of Baluchistan.
Of the places mentioned, the demand made on the Salt range is a very
large one.
The Thal is poor grazing except in good years.
The Ganji Bar and Multan are shortly to be irrigated, and will therefore
only be available for a few years more; these two localities are also used by
many Grantee camels.
19. The method of dealing with Surra in Silladar Corps by search for and
slaughter of affected camels shows itself by its results to be effective; if this
point is neglected one year its results appear in the next in high Surra mortality ;
if it is thoroughly carried out one year its effect on the percentage mortality
does not become apparent until the next year. It is too apt to be spasmodically
carried out; it is sustained systematic search as a routine that is required,
combined with a proper system of blood examination of remounts.
20. It is constantly being suggested that Surra camels of Camel Corps
should be segregated until they die or recover. It is quite true that a fair
proportion would with rest and the best grazing and rations, recover in not less
than 3 years; when recovered they slowly become fit for work and regain good
condition. In Bikanir State where the jungle is comparatively unlimited,
I recommended this course in the case of camels under 11 years of age. The
cost of keeping all the Surra camels in segregation during 3 years would
work out in lucky years at about the value of the survivors.
If the Punjab grazing grounds were almost unlimited this course would
have been advised two years ago. But the reverse is the case; the grazing
areas which are not Surra-zones are now so limited that there are not enough
for the healthy; in other words they are all required for the prevention of
Surra which pays far better than its cure. A Silladar Camel Corps camel suffer-
ing from Surra is inefficient on emergencies and dangerous; it can neither be
retained in the Corps nor cast to spread the disease outside; and it cannot, if fit
for ordinary work at the time, be destroyed without giving compensation.
21. Regarding compensation, it often needs pointing out that no loss is
involved in destroying a Surra camel too weak to rise under a load or suffering
coincident unsoundness, such as chronic blindness or lameness; I always ask
for a statement that the camel is fit for ordinary work before certifying Surra
with a view to compensation. Compensation is for destruction of a camel in
the public interest though still capable of ordinary work, and no hardship is
involved if it is not capable of this.
22. The danger of purchasing Surra into Camel Corps increases year by
year. I think that something should be done to prevent the big fairs from
acting as distributors of the disease and to check trade in Surra camels
generally. The decline in camel-breeding results in a heavy demand on the
fairs by camelmen from the North and Central Puniab. Large numbers of
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