National Camel Sustainability Initiative (NCSI)

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying is launching the National Camel Sustainability Initiative (NCSI), a mission aimed at reversing the decline in India’s camel population.

Objective and Collaboration

• Developed in consultation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• Focuses on a multi-dimensional strategy involving the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and the Ministries of Environment, Rural Development, and Tourism, along with State governments.

Current Situation

• India’s camel population has declined from about 11 lakh in 1977 to 2.52 lakh in 2019, according to the 20th Livestock Census.
• Nearly 90% of camels are found in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Challenges

• Camels face a crisis of survival, affecting socio-economic stability and ecological sustainability in arid regions.
• Existing policies are fragmented, reactive, and underfunded, with limited focus under mainstream livestock development programmes.

Policy Recommendations

• Reform legal barriers and enable regulated trade, with a review of the Rajasthan Camel Act to balance conservation with livelihood rights.
• Develop safe, traceable inter-state trade mechanisms supported by better transport infrastructure and e-market platforms.

Awareness and Education

• Launch a national camel awareness campaign, integrating themes into school textbooks, public campaigns, and rural fairs.
• Celebrate World Camel Day (June 22) nationwide to promote camel culture, conservation, and innovation.