On 27th January, 2025, Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan (LPPS) and Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS) organized a National Seminar on ‘The Future of Camels in India: How to ensure their Conservation and Well-Being’ at the India Habitat Centre in New-Delhi. The event was attended by more than 50 stakeholders, representing the Governments of India and Rajasthan, FAO, camel herders from four different regions, NGOs, experts in various fields, as well as the animal welfare community.
After listening to a series of formal presentations, four working groups were formed to discuss the impact of the Rajasthan Law, the importance of Common Property Resources and synergy with the upcoming International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, how to attract and motivate young herders, and how to go about establishing Rajasthan’s camel milk as a cruelty-free’ and high value niche product.
The recommendations included:
- Repeal of the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Law.
- Herders must be given respect and dignity, and their young generation requires incentives.
- Conservation of Common Property Resources (CPR), such as oran, and establishment of a ‘Pastoral Cell’ within the Rajasthan Government.
- Positioning camel milk as a superfood and its products as Rajasthan’s culinary specialty.
The proceedings of the seminar and selected presentations are available below:
- Proceedings of the National Seminar
- The current status of the camel in India in a global context by Ilse Köhler-Rollefson
- The Impact of the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Law by Hanwant Singh Rathore (LPPS)
- Upscaling camel milk market by Ramesh Bhatti (CfP)
- The culinary potential of camel milk by Kumud Dadlani (Edible Issues)
- Why I chose camel milk from Rajasthan by Augusta de Lisi (Nomadic Nutrition)
- Perspective on camels from the Wellness sector by Yogendra Singh Mertiya (Fabindia)
For more information, contact Hanwant Singh Rathore at lpps.sadri1996@gmail.com or Dr. Ilse Köhler-Rollefson at ilse.koehlerroll@gmail.com