Kharai camel:
Despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, illegal salt pans and encroachment of creeks continue to threaten Kachchh’s Kharai camels.
- It is indigenous to Gujarat, derives its name from the local term “Khara,” meaning saline, reflecting its adaptability to both desert and coastal ecosystems.
- The Kharai is known for its rare ability to swim long distances and graze on mangroves.
- The camels swim long distances in the sea to reach its grazing areas, usually more than 3 km at a time even in deep waters.
- It has been preserved by the Rabari and Fakirani Jat tribes for over 400 years
- These camels exist, primarily in Kutch, where they play a crucial role in local ecosystems, particularly in maintaining mangrove forests.
- Kharai camel milk is not only rich in nutrients but also has therapeutic properties.
- The milk contains antibodies that are similar to those found in human milk, making it easier to digest and beneficial for boosting the immune system.
- Conservation Status
- IUCN: Endangered
- Threats: The steadily decreasing mangroves because of heavy industrialisation along the coast have affected the traditional grazing routes.
