The camel is an important component of the desert eco-system. With its unique bio-physiological characteristics, the camel has become an icon of adaptation to formidable ways of living in arid and semi-arid regions. It is not surprising that this animal with long legs and extended neck represents the cultural pulchritude of the states like Rajasthan and Gujarat. The Gorband and Cheekhal has traversed the time from history to modernity and retained its niche in the socio-economic fabric of rustic life amidst the process of change. The proverbial ship of desert earned its name on account of its indispensability as a mode of transportation and draft power in desert but the utilities were many. The camel served the Indian Army in their combats and engineers while constructing the Indira Gandhi Canal in western part of Rajasthan. These perspectives let to establishment of National Research Centre on Camel at Bikaner on 5th July 1984 under the auspices of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi. The Centre is located in the Jorbeer area at a distance of about 10 km from Bikaner city of Rajasthan, India.
Since the distribution of dromedary camels in India (0.63 million) is confined to the dry lands of North-Western India spread out in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana, the NRC on Camel is focusing on basic and applied research on Camelus dromedarius. The Centre is also focusing issues of Double Humped Camel (Camelus bactrianus) found in the cold desert of Nobra Valley of Laddakh region. Over the years excellent laboratories and infrastructure facilities have been developed making it into a premier research Centre on camel in the world. An elite herd of about 270 camels of Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri and Kachchhi breed has been developed by selective breeding. Scientists of the Centre were successful in finding out the genetic variation within and between camel breeds using molecular markers. Major indigenous camel breeds have been characterized. The reproductive efficiency of camel has been improved by providing two services at 0 and 72 hours. The post partum breeding during 30-60 days post parturition also improved the reproductive efficiency. Success has been achieved in cryopreservation of camel semen. Artificial insemination is under standardization. Status of reproductive hormones during different stages has been worked out. The technique of embryo transfer has been standardized and two camel calves have been produced at the Centre. Annual calendar for month wise prophylaxis and management practices has 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 various physiological stages i.e. lactation, pregnancy, draught has been worked out and locally available feed & fodder resources were evaluated.
Research on shelf life of camel milk and its therapeutic utility against chronic diseases like tuberculosis, diabetes type I and breast cancer is being carried out. Positive contribution of camel milk in faster recovery from above diseases has been observed.
Camel milk products like kulfi, soft cheese, flavoured milk and dahi have been developed. The Centre also sale the camel milk products through its milk parlour located at the campus. A cosmetic cream developed out of camel milk has shown positive impact in improving smoothness and shining to the skin. The centre is looking for its commercial production, marketing and utilization. Camel bone and camel hair blended products have shown good response. The Centre has also electrified the traditional two wheel camel cart to reduce chances of accidents during night time. |
