Surinder Sud: On the camel's back

Zoologists are leveraging the unique genetic make-up of the animal to increase its utility for people in desert areas

This column has been modified. Please see the correction at the end.

The euphoria of zoologists over the birth of a white camel calf at the National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) in Rajasthan in three decades is not merely because of its rarity or novelty but also because of its genetic significance.

Given the rapid decline in the camel population and the limited genetic diversity of the animal, this rare white Mewari female calf can be used to breed a new of variety of camels.

However, although scientists are fairly certain that the white colour of the calf is because of a “recessive” (non-active) character of the camel gene, they are not sure if its progeny will also be white. They feel the chances of white progeny are 50 per cent — and that is good enough to sustain hope.

The birth of the white camel calf is also significant because it was delivered by a camel of the Mewari breed, which is facing extinction. There were only 8,800 Mewari camels out of the country’s total camel count of 5,61,828 in 2007 when the last livestock census was conducted. Sturdy Mewari camels are of particular interest for people in the lower foothills of the Aravalis in Rajasthan for transport, farm operations and milk production. Mewari camels give around seven to eight litres of milk per day, compared to five to six litres by other common breeds like Jaisalmeri and Bikaneri.

Camels possess a unique genetic make-up and an immune system that helps them survive the most adverse environments — in deserts and semi-arid areas of the north-western states and the cold hilly desert in the Nubra valley in Ladakh.

“Camels are a virtual reservoir of unique genes that make them disease-resistant, give them longevity and the ability to adapt to harsh circumstances and several other useful characteristics that can be exploited for the good of animal and human health,” says N V Patil, director of the Bikaner-based NRCC. Camels also have special anti-bodies in their bloodstream that are capable of destroying harmful bacteria and viruses or neutralising other disease-causing poisons and pathogens. In medical circles, these anti-bodies are generally described as “nano anti-bodies” because of the speed with which these can travel through the animal or human body to reach the spot where they are needed. These anti-bodies can be gainfully utilised to detect and cure animal and human disease. To this end, NRCC is working with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai to evaluate their effectiveness in diagnosing and treating diseases like tuberculosis and thyroid cancer. It is also collaborating with the Bikaner-based S P Medical College to develop a snake venom antidote.

This apart, NRCC is focusing on enhancing the milk yield of camels to meet growing demand because camel milk has therapeutic value. The organisation is also working on improving the animal’s utility as a means of transport and draught power in arid and semi-arid areas.

Interestingly, NRCC’s has already developed a technology for making popular milk products like ice-cream, kulfi and flavoured milk, tea and coffee with camel milk. These items are in good demand and are being sold from a milk parlour set up on NRCC’s campus. Some private dairies have also begun producing these products. Efforts are on to develop techniques to make curd and cheese from camel milk.

It is noteworthy that camels have been of great service during wars and civil works in deserts and other sandy tracts where other means of transport usually become ineffective. Camel battalions took part in World Wars I and II and even today are an integral part of the Border Security Force (BSF). Extending the Indira Gandhi Canal, the lifeline of Rajasthan, to the western-most desert tracts would have been impossible had it not been for the availability of camels to transport men and material to such hostile locations. It is, therefore, essential to help such a useful animal species survive and grow so that its valuable genetic traits are not lost.
 

A correction

Two facts in the article “On the camel’s back” (April 19) by Surinder Sud were inadvertently changed. First, the white Mewari camel calf born at the National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) in Rajasthan is female and not male. Second, the birth of the female calf has been first on record in the past three decades and not after 27 years.
The errors are regretted.

surinder.sud@gmail.com