University
College
of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences; 1Cholistan Institute
of Desert
Studies, The Islamia
University of Bahawalpur,
Pakistan
Abstract
The camel is one of the typical and the best adopted animals of the desert,
capable of enduring thirst and hunger for days and is the most patient of land
animals. For desert nomads of Pakistani Cholistan, it is a beloved companion, a
source of milk and meat, transport facility provider and a racing/dancing
animal, thus, playing an important role in the socioeconomic uplift of the local
community. Marrecha or Mahra, breedd are mainly used for riding and load
carrying but may be trained for dancing or racing. Berella is another heavy and
milch breed of camel famous for milk production and can produce upto 10-15
liters of milk per day. This breed is
also suitable for draught purpose, though comparatively slow due to heavy body.
The present paper also describes the traditional camel rearing system used by
nomads of Cholistan desert. Some aspects of camel health, production, feeding,
socio-economic values, marketing and some constraints and suggestions are also
given so that the policy makers may consider them for the welfare of this
animal.