The camel is an important animal component of the fragile desert eco-system. With its unique bio-physiological characteristics, the camel has become an icon of adaptation to challenging ways of living in arid and semi-arid regions. The proverbial Ship of Desert earned its epithet on account of its indispensability as a mode of transportation and draught power in desert but the utilities are many and are subject to continuous social and economic changes. The camel has played a significant role in civil law and order, defense and battles from the ancient times till date. The world famous Ganga-Risala of erstwhile Bikaner State was accepted as Imperial Service Troup and participated in World War I and II. The camel helped the engineers while constructing the Indira Gandhi Canal in Western part of Rajasthan. Presently, the camel corps constitute an important wing of Border Security Force of Indian Para-Military Services.
Considering the importance of camel in the socio-economic development of arid and semi-arid zones, the Government of India established a Project Directorate on Camel at Bikaner (India) in Jorbeer ( at about 10 K.M. from Bikaner ) on 5th July 1984 under aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) which was upgraded to National Research Center on Camel (NRCC) on September 20, 1995.
Since
the distribution of dromedary camels in India (0.63 million) is
confined to the arid and semi-arid areas of North-western India
spread out in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana, the NRCC
is focusing on basic and applied research on one humped camel
(Camelus dromedarius).
The center is also focusing issues of double humped camel (Camelus
bactrianus) found in the cold desert of Nubra Valley of
Laddakh region.
Initially, the Center started with the mandate
of developing infrastructure facilities for conservation and preservation
of existing breeds of camel and generate scientific and technical
information. Over the past 24 years, excellent laboratories and infrastructure
facilities have been developed making it into a premier research
center on camel across the globe. An elite herd of about 270 dromedary
camels of Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri, Kachchhi and Mewari breed has been developed
by selective breeding. Scientists of the center were successful
in finding out the genetic variation among camel breeds using
molecular markers. Major indigenous camel breeds have been characterized.
Success has been achieved in cryopreservation of camel semen and
artificial insemination is under standardization. Status of reproductive
hormones during different stages has been worked out. The technique
of embryo transfer has been successfully attempted. Annual calendar for month
wise prophylaxis and management practices have been developed.
A confirmatory diagnosis of trypanosomosis by using PCR technique
has also been standardized.
Extensive investigation on evaluation of draughtability of camel breeds is being carried out. The feed requirement during lactation, pregnancy and working camel has been investigated and locally available feed and fodder resources have been evaluated.
The centre is giving emphasis on transforming camel into milch animal. A modern camel dairy has been set up at its campus to meat the growing demand of camel milk and its products. This will not only motivate the camel in socio-economic status of the rural people. Systematic research on camel milk, its yield on diverse breeds of camels is being carried out.
Research on shelf life of camel milk and its therapeutic utility is being carried out. Value added camel milk products like ice-cream, flavoured milk and curd have been developed. The center sales these camel milk products through its milk parlour located at the campus. A camel milk based dermacutical cream has been developed at this center. The camel bone is showing potential to swap for ivory while camel hairs are being blended with wool products. The center has improved the traditional camel cart by installing electric indicators to avoid accidents during night movements.
In the pursuit of multiple use of camel, agro-processing and electric generation unit through camel draught has been established at its premises. The bio energy generated through camel draught is renewable and free from environmental hazards. Its availability shall definitely uplift the rural economy through its application in various domestic and agricultural functions of the village life.
