Once hailed as the “Ship of the Desert”, the camel—a symbol of Rajasthan’s resilience, grace and ecological heritage—now faces a steep population decline. But a quiet revolution is under way in the heart of Bikaner. The National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) stands as a beacon of hope, a sanctuary dedicated to the preservation, protection and celebration of this majestic animal.
Established in 1984 as part of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the NRCC began as a modest camel farm. Today, it is home to more than 300 camels, of which 169 are females. To maintain a sustainable population, camels and calves are auctioned regularly to local herders.
The animals are cared for by 28 handlers, all from the Raika community that maintains a deep cultural and spiritual connection to camels.
At dawn, Mohan Ram Raika, 30, and Narpat Singh Raika, 28, begin their day by entering the camel corrals. The female camels, waiting to be milked, stretch their long necks eagerly toward their calves in the adjoining enclosure. Mohan opens the gate, and two mothers step out.
The calves immediately recognise their mothers. They begin suckling to stimulate milk let-down. Mohan then gently separates them, and offers the mothers a mix of bajra, millets, khal and gram before washing the mother’s udder with water. He ties the camel’s hind legs with a short rope and balances the milk pail carefully against his folded leg. “Milking is an art,” he says. Within minutes, the bucket fills with nearly four litres of fresh, warm camel milk.
The milk is taken to the processing unit, where its fat content is tested and the record for each camel is updated. Priced at Rs90 a litre, the milk is sold to local residents, many of whom swear by its health benefits. One resident says it helped control his diabetes, while another proudly says he sends frozen camel milk to relatives as far away as Delhi.
The NRCC’s strength lies in its blend of traditional knowledge and modern science. While the Raikas care for the animals, scientists and veterinarians ensure their health.
Dr Kashi Nath, chief technical officer and specialist in veterinary surgery, carefully examines camels for injuries and infections. “Camels are hardy animals,” he says. “They rarely fall ill, but sometimes they bite each other, causing minor wounds.” He applies ointment on the nose wound of an injured camel while his team collects blood samples for regular health monitoring.
In the laboratory, Dr Swagatika Priyadarshini, scientist in animal biochemistry, works on detecting adulteration in camel milk using DNA quantification techniques. Meanwhile, Dr Ratan Chaudhary, senior scientist in molecular genetics, studies stem cell biology and genetic traits related to milk yield, growth rate and disease resistance. The overall aim is to improve the camel’s economic and ecological viability.
Elsewhere, Dr Shyam Sunder Choudhary, an expert in veterinary medicine, analyses blood and skin samples to diagnose camel diseases and enhance treatment protocols. Each scientist contributes a crucial piece to the centre’s mission: ensuring the camel’s survival through research, innovation and compassion. “Our goal is to blend traditional knowledge with modern science,” says Choudhary.
By late morning, the camels are led out to graze across the centre’s vast grounds. Kumbha Ram Raika, a veteran handler with over 30 years of experience, guides the herd like a shepherd. Carrying a long stick over his shoulders, he walks confidently ahead while the camels follow in disciplined formation—a scene reminiscent of a desert caravan.
Back at the centre, staff members clean corrals, stack fodder and maintain enclosures. The rhythmic hum of activity continues as scientists, veterinarians and herders work in perfect harmony.
At 1pm, the centre opens its gates to visitors. Tourists gather to watch the returning herds and the evening milking sessions. Decorated camels, adorned with colourful saddles and beads, wait for joyriders.
Among the most celebrated trainers is Raghunath Raika, 60, who joined the centre as a young handler and is now one of its most photographed figures alongside his camel, Vikram. During the peak tourist season, he offers rides to more than a hundred visitors each day, proudly showcasing the beauty and grace of Rajasthan’s state animal.
The centre also houses a Camel Museum that displays products made from camel skin, hair and bone—bags, mats, belts, shoes and decorative artefacts. The museum offers visitors insight into the camel’s significance in desert life, while promoting sustainable camel-based industries.
According to NRCC director Dr Anil Kumar Puniya, the centre’s focus is on reviving camel populations while preserving pure breeds and developing camel-based products such as ghee, ice cream, powdered milk and kulfi.
“The NRCC works closely with the Raika community,” says Dr Puniya. “All camel-related activities—milking, grazing, training—are handled by them. Our scientists and doctors regularly visit remote villages to understand the herders’ challenges and offer technical support.”
The centre currently maintains four pure camel breeds—the Bikaneri, known for its strength and long eyelashes suited for desert storms; the Jaisalmeri, prized for speed and stamina; the Kachchhi, capable of swimming through the saline waters of Kachchh; and the Mewari, renowned as load carriers. Efforts are on to identify and preserve more rare breeds.
In collaboration with the Rajasthan government, the NRCC hosts the annual Bikaner International Camel Festival—a vibrant celebration featuring camel races, dances, fur-cutting contests, and decoration competitions aimed at reviving public interest in camels.
As dusk falls, the centre lights up with installations that showcase the camel’s role in Rajasthan’s history, including its contribution to building the Indira Gandhi Canal, a lifeline of the Thar Desert region.
For local herders like Govind Singh Raika, the change is tangible. “We see hope again,” he says. The rising demand for camel milk and the increase in camel prices at fairs—from less than Rs10,000 a few years ago to over Rs90,000 today—reflect a positive turn for both camels and their caretakers.
