Lok Sabha Question No. 112 (STARRED), answered on 2015-07-28
Subject: Camel Population
Ministry: AGRICULTURE
Asked by: P. C. MOHAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING AND FISHERIES

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO 112

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH JULY, 2015

**CAMEL POPULATION**

*112.  SHRI  P.C. MOHAN **:**

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE कृषि मंत्री

be pleased to state:

1. whether the Government is aware of the dwindling camel population in the country;

1. if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with camel population in the country as per the last three live stock Census;

1. whether the Government has any proposal to upgrade the  National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC), Bikaner and if so, the details thereof;

1. whether NRCC has undertaken any basic and applied research on  one humped camel and double humped camel and if so, the details thereof; and

1. the steps taken by the Government to increase the population of camel in the country?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

(SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)

1. to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

**STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *112 PUT IN BY SHRI P. C. MOHAN ON “CAMEL POPULATION” DUE FOR ANSWER ON 28** **TH** **JULY, 2015**

1. Yes, Madam.

1. As per the Indian Livestock Census, which is conducted every five years, the total population of camel was 632000 (17 th Indian Livestock Census 2002), 516828 (18 th Indian Livestock Census, 2007) and 400274 (19 th Indian Livestock Census, 2012).

The reasons for decline in population are reduction in grazing land and mechanization in agriculture and transport.

(c) 	There is no proposal under consideration to upgrade National Research Centre 	of Camel (NRCC), Bikaner under the XII Plan.

(d) 	Yes, Madam National Research Centre of Camel (NRCC), Bikaner had undertaken research on 	basic and applied aspects in Dromedary Camel on the molecular characterization of Camel breeds of India, physiological aspects for draft efficiency, water metabolism, reproduction studies regarding ovulation, folliculogenesis, gut behaviour, gut metagnomics, functional food value of camel milk, thermo-stability of camel milk whey proteins, identification of unique proteins in camel milk, development and evaluation of complete feeds as blocks and pellets, feed inventorization and feed quality evaluation for gas production, in-vitro studies and diagnosis of surra by molecular means, validation of indigenous treatment modules for treatment of skin disorders, isolation and characterization of camel skin fungi, heat shock proteins, viral diseases, isolation and characterization of viruses, studies on TLR for immunological aspects, etc.  Biometric measurements, haematological and biochemical profiles, incidence of diseases and pasture resources of the region inhabited by double humped camel have been studied.

(e) Steps taken by the Government to increase the population of camel in India are as follows:

1. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture had launched “National Livestock Policy-2013”. In connection with Breeding of Camel, under para 8.7 of the Policy, it is stated: “It will aim at improving their desert specific draft power, milk production, disease resistance and sports traits.  Breeding of Double hump camel in high altitude areas would be supported with import of semen to minimize otherwise high chances of inbreeding”.
2. Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the introduction of “The Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration of Export) Bill, 2014”.
3. During X Plan, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Conservation of Threatened Breeds of Livestock” was introduced for conservation of livestock whose population had gone below 10,000 in their home tract. During this Plan period, a project on Conservation of Double Humped Camel was sanctioned to Government of Jammu & Kashmir. Total funds of Rs.55.02 lakh were released in two instalments during the X and XI Plan period for this project.

During XI Plan, another project on Conservation of Kachchhi camel in Gujarat was supported by the Department under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Total funds to the tune of Rs.126.00 lakh were released to Government of Gujarat in two instalments during XI Plan and XII Plan for this project.

During XII Plan, under the National Livestock Mission, there is a Sub-Mission on Livestock Development which has a component for Conservation of Livestock breeds, including camel.