Conservation of native vegetation and traditional camel herding in Rajastan, India
Name of sustainable practice or practices Conservation of native vegetation and traditional camel herding in Rajastan, India
Name of main actor Raika camel pastoralists of Rajastan
Type of actors involved Pastoralists, Non-governmental organizations
Livestock Species Dromedary
Livestock breed Kumbhalgarh Camels (sub-set of the Marwari breed)
Country India
Agro-ecological region Tropical and Sub-tropical
Main feature of best practice Improving environmental sustainability including biodiversity conservation
Key features of livestock farming system Nomadic or transhumance pastoralism
Year practice/management strategies started to be implemented 1995
Key practices implemented to improve sustainability of livestock management • The Kumbhalgarh camel herding system is an example of a sustainable human-animal relationship. The system is globally unique, and represents an important part of the biocultural heritage of Raika people in Rajastan, India:
o Camel herds are managed in migratory systems. They primarily live off resources that other livestock do not consume and that would not get utilized in their absence. They are economical feeders that do not over-graze the vegetation. Browsing can stimulate tree growth and lead to development of new green shoots.
o Since camel numbers are small and their very modest feeding behaviour is in balance with the agro-ecosystem, they positively affect nutrient recycling from the forest areas to the agricultural fields.
o Camels convert vegetation into a variety of products that benefit farmers and other people throughout the region. Camels are much more efficient than cows in converting vegetation resources that they are feeding on into milk.
• This herding system has faced increasing pressures due to decreasing demand for draft camels and lack of grazing rights. Diversifying the production of camel products (milk, wool, dung paper, camel milk soap, and eco-tourism) creates multiple sources of income for the Raika people. Supporting them in adding value to camel production system as well as marketing of the products can improve social and economic aspects of sustainability.
Key impacts of the best practices on sustainability of farming system Camels do not over-graze the vegetation. Their browsing can stimulate tree growth. Camels positively affect nutrient recycling and they convert vegetation into a number of useful products, providing income for the Raika people and improving social and economic aspects of sustainability.
Constraints and opportunities observed during implementation of described practices • Historically, Raika people have had a taboo on camel slaughter and eating camel meat. Sale of female animals was also banned, along with milk and wool sale as well as milk processing. The only products for sale included young male camels and camel manure. Nowadays, the attitudes are slowly changing and the Raika people are developing production of milk and other commodities for sale.
• The Raika have a tremendous amount of traditional knowledge about managing camels in balance with the ecosystem. Integrating this knowledge into management strategies is important for raising awareness and improving the situation in camel herding and to promote coexistence between the landscape and camel herders.
