Kharai camel

June 28, 2025

Despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, illegal salt pans and encroachment of creeks continue to threaten Kachchh’s Kharai camels.

About Kharai camel:

  • 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.

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