The Jaisalmeri camel breeders still have large herds of camels, in addition to keeping other types of livestock, incl. cattle, sheep and goats. They are currently establishing a Biocultural Protocol with the help of LPP’s partner organisation Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan (LPPS). This process is urgent since the customary grazing areas of these communities are encroached upon rapidly –  especially by companies that seek to generate alternative energies (wind and solar). Read more about this issue here.

Camel Charisma is a social enterprise that supports the Raika and other camel breeders to develop and market products from their camels. On 1st February it opened a tiny retail outlet near Ranakpur in Rajasthan.

In a moving ceremony held at India’s National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) in Chennai on 10th January, twenty livestock keepers received awards for their dedication to conserving indigenous breeds. In his speech, the secretary of the NBA, Mr. Reddy, emphasized the importance of Livestock Keepers’ Rights and the need for every civilized country to implement this bundle of rights. More information about the award winners and the breeds that they steward is here.