KHARAI
CAMELS - ENVIRONMENT
News:
Kutch's Kharai Breed,
World's Only Swimming Camels, Can Travel 1.5 Km In Sea
What's
in the news?
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In a recent report tabled in Gujarat
Assembly, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) asked the
government to preserve mangroves and save the ‘Kharai’ breed of camels.
Kharai Camels:
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They are a rare breed of camel found in
the salt marshes of the Kutch district of Gujarat.
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Their name is derived from the local word
khara, meaning saline.
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The Kharai was recognised as a separate breed in 2015 by the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Features:
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It is well adapted to the saline desert environment.
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It is also known for its ability to swim
(hence also known as ‘swimming camel’).
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They swim long distances in the sea to
reach their grazing areas, usually more than 3 km at a time, even in deep
waters.
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Kharai camels mostly feed on saline plants
and mangroves.
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They are considered a unique eco-tonal species as they survive in
the dryland ecosystem as well as the coastal ecosystem.
Threats:
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Industries in Kutch–salt, thermal power,
cement and shipyards, among others–pose a huge threat to the dwindling mangroves.
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Most of the industries in the region
requires constructing jetties in the sea, which results in the cutting down of
mangroves that are fodder for the Kharai camels.
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The increase in salinity throughout the
region and the growth of industrial activities has minimised the availability
of camel food and water sources.
Conservation
Status:
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IUCN:
Endangered