How two tribes in Kutch are conserving endangered swimming camels

Kharai Camel, found in the Rann of Kutch (also Kachchh) region of Gujarat, is the world’s only camel that can survive in dry and coastal ecosystems. These camels can swim two to three km in the sea alone to graze on mangroves. During the monsoon season, they reside on the bets (islands within mangrove areas) for two to three months and drink the rainwater accumulating on the ground. 

In drier seasons, they return after grazing for two to three days to find drinking water. Marine mangroves are the main food source for Kharai camels, supplemented by smaller salty shrubs found in desert areas. Kharai camels are used for transport and milk production. 

Interestingly, the endangered species is bred by nomadic Fakirani Jat (Muslim) and Rabari (Hindu) tribes, which have jointly conserved Kharai camels for over 400 years. 

Also Read: Mangrove loss threatens Kharai swimming camel

Legend of the Kharai camel and two tribes

Legend has it that once two Rabari brothers argued over who should own their only camel. They sought the help of Savlapir, a Muslim saint revered by the Fakirani Jat community, to settle their dispute. 

Savlapir created a camel out of a beehive and asked the brothers to choose between the living camel and the one made of beeswax. The elder brother quickly chose the live camel and went on his way. 

The younger brother, Devidas Rabari, received the wax camel with the saint's blessings. Savlapir instructed him to head home, allowing the wax camel to follow behind. If Devidas didn't look back, the wax camel would multiply into a large herd.

The saint also told him if the camels grew in numbers, he could seek the help of Fakirani Jats to look after them. That practice continues to date. 

“We Rabaris mostly give our camels to Fakirani Jats for grazing. We pay them Rs100 per month per camel. This practice is rooted in our culture,” says Bhikabhai Rabari, the fifth-generation camel breeder in his semi-nomadic family. He lives in the Jangi village of Kutch district’s Bhachau tehsil.

Also Read: Save the camel; it may be extinct in a few decades

History of Fakirani Jat and Rabari communities

The Jats say their ancestors migrated to Kachchh from Balochistan (in present-day Pakistan) about 500 years ago. They fled due to a conflict between the King of Baluchistan and some members of the community. 

Before leaving, they sold all their cattle, replacing them with camels to facilitate the long journey and use them for livelihood. They journeyed through Sindh and eventually settled in Kutch.

The Rabari community originally hailed from the Jaisalmer area of Rajasthan. “We are told that we left our homeland after a conflict arose with the King, who wished to marry a Rabari girl. Refusing the marriage, we left Jaisalmer, and our community spread across various parts of Gujarat, including Patan, Mehsana, and Kutch,” says Bhikabhai.

“About 250-300 years ago, several of our community members migrated from Kutch to other coastal areas of Gujarat seeking mangroves for their Kharai camels,” he adds. 

Also Read: Rajasthan’s Camel Charisma builds a superfood business with camel milk and cheese

How Kharai camel remains purebred 

Both the communities are pastoralists by occupation and lead a nomadic lifestyle. Rabaris and Jats are primarily camel breeders though our herds include sheep, buffaloes, cattle, and goats. They move with the camels both within and outside Kutch.

The two communities have been working for biodiversity conservation and maintaining the Kharai camel's genetic purity.

They have done this despite the shrinking mangrove areas for their grazing and the reduction in their economic value due to newer transportation methods.

The male camels were earlier sold in large numbers for use in police and defence forces, transportation, desert safaris etc. However, that demand is declining due to the availability of modern transport methods. They are now sold mostly for camel milk.

Both male and female camels reach reproductive maturity at three years of age, with a pregnancy lasting one year. Typically, after her first delivery, a female camel gives birth every two years.

Pastoralists maintain genetic purity because only purebred camels can survive in the harsh environment of Kutch.

Camel breeding is deeply rooted in traditional knowledge passed down through generations. More than 70 percent of the pastoralists maintain a breeding male within their herds.

“Selecting the right male camel for breeding is of utmost importance. We choose them based on skin, the thickness of the hump, colour, size of legs, the health history of their parents and many other criteria. This ensures a healthy herd,” Bhikabhai says.

Selected breeding males are given supplementary fodder, typically including mustard oil, groundnuts, and a local plant called guvar. A breeding male is kept with a herd for three to four years. After this, it is sold to another breeder a new male camel is brought to prevent inbreeding.

(Riya Singh is a Ranchi-based journalist who writes on environment, farming, sustainability, startups, & women empowerment)

Also Read: Ladakh: Tourism gives a new lease of life to critically endangered double-humped camel

Look up our YouTube channel