National Research Centre on Camels, Bikaner
National Research Centre on Camel was established in 1984 by the Central Government under Indian Council of Agricultural Research at the outskirts of Bikaner city to promote research and development on camels. It is located about 8 km from Bikaner city in the state of Rajasthan in India. Progress. The key objectives of NRCC are camel breeding and health, utilisation of camel milk and its byproducts like ice-cream made of it, which makes it a one-of-a-kind institute in India. The farm is a complex of camel stables, enclosures, and buildings . Scientists engage with all stakeholders like camel herders, traders via collaborative programmes for development of camels. Significant growth had been made on opportunities of camel milk trade in India as a functional food because of its therapeutic health benefits, models of successful camel dairying on cooperative basis, Camel usage by BSF India as this species is found mainly in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Camels have greatly caught the attention of tourists from India and abroad. In popular culture. Camels are fondly called the "Ships of the Desert" because of their utility in arid climate. They can live without water for many  days. They provide alternative means of goods transportation in many districts of Rajasthan, which, in turn, saves fuel and also provides livelihood to many camel herders. The Thar Desert is filled with glorious palaces, natural marvels and, of course, camels which adds to the tourism sector. Maharaja Ganga Singh of the Bikaner, Rajasthan, India founded Bikaner Camel Corps around 1890 and it participated in World Wars I and II. Because of their long natural history, camels have been declared the state animal of Rajasthan and some communities like "Raika" are specific in keeping and raising them. Tourists visiting NRCC and & Bikaner enjoy seeing camel calves gamboling around one another during afternoon hours, or camels gathering in sand dunes during sunset. A camel museum is available to apprise them of the developmental and research aspects of the camel in the desert ecosystem. Facilities available are camel riding, desert safari, camel milk and ice cream (locally known as "kulfi"), souvenir shops selling various decorative items like bags, purses, artwork, shawl, small chains, etc. International "Camel Festival" is organised in Bikaner, every year around 12–13 January. The shows include camel dance, camel race, artwork on various breeds of camels, traditional folk dances by  locals.