International Year of Camelids-2024 Celebrated in Nubra, Ladakh
10 September 2024, Ladakh: ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal celebrated the International Year of Camelids-2024 with the double humped camel keepers and other stakeholders in Nubra valley of Ladakh (UT) today. The programme was organized by ICAR-NBAGR in collaboration with Dept of Animal Husbandry, Ladakh.
The United Nations has designated this year to focus on Camelids, aiming to highlight their crucial role in enhancing resilience to climate change, particularly in mountainous and arid or semi-arid regions. The initiative seeks to raise awareness of their untapped potential and to promote greater research and capacity development. The theme for the year is ‘Heroes of the Desert and Highlands: Nourishing People and Culture.’ In Nubra Valley of Ladakh—a high-altitude, arid region—double-humped camels are raised, with their population recently surpassing 350. These camels have become a significant attraction for tourism in the valley.
The Chief Guest, Dr Raghvendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR emphasized over the improved management practices, specifically to provide adequate nutrition round the year. He urged to introduce new germplasm in the region, to restrict inbreeding in the camel flocks. Further, to diversify the utilization of the species, he spoke about utilizing the uniqueness of the milk of the camel species. Many of the animal products are unique and may be produced in high altitude climate of the Ladakh, the products may also be tagged with the Geographical Indication (GI), for value addition, he added.
Dr Bhatta felicitated the camel owners for their efforts for the conservation of the species and released various documents on AnGR of Ladakh including one Bulletin on the Double humped Camel of Nubra Valey, Ladakh.
Dr B P Mishra, Director, ICAR-NBAGR, highlighted the importance of the camel species in the arid production system.
Dr Mohammad Ismail, Director, Animal/Sheep Husbandry Fisheries Department, Ladakh (UT); Sh. Tufail Iqbal, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Nubra Division, Leh; Col. S S Bhardwaj, Officer In-charge, DRDO-DIHAR, Det Siachen also addressed the Camel community during the programme.
A Stakeholder Meet was held with double-humped camel owners in Nubra Valley. Dr. Bhatta and the Bureau team engaged with the farmers, raising awareness about scientific practices for camel rearing. They stressed the need for line departments and ICAR to address specific issues, including inbreeding, and to enhance nutrition and management practices while considering the region’s carrying capacity for double-humped camels.
About 60 double humped camel owners, along with the Bureau scientists, Officers of Animal Husbandry Department, DIHAR, District Administration attended the programme.
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