What is/are unique about \'Kharai camel\', a breed found in India?
It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater.
It survives by grazing on mangroves.
It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (UPSC Prelims 2016)

Question

The correct answer is [A] 1 and 2 only. The Kharai camel is a unique breed found exclusively in the Kutch region of Gujarat, India.

Swimming Capability (Statement 1 – Correct): Known as the \"swimming camel,\" the Kharai is the only breed in the world capable of swimming in seawater. They can swim up to three kilometers in the Gulf of Kutch to reach their grazing grounds.
Mangrove Diet (Statement 2 – Correct): Their diet is unique among camel breeds; they primarily survive by grazing on mangroves (Avicennia marina). This salty diet gives their milk a distinct flavor and contributes to their specialized physiology.
Domestication (Statement 3 – Incorrect): Kharai camels are not wild animals. They have been domesticated for centuries by the Jat and Rabari communities. These nomadic pastoralists rely on the camels for their livelihood, although the breed is now considered \"Endangered\" due to the degradation of mangrove ecosystems and industrialization.

Key Facts:

Habitat: Primarily found in the coastal districts of Kutch, Gujarat.
Recognition: In 2015, the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) recognized the Kharai as a distinct breed, making it the ninth recognized camel breed in India.
Conservation: They face threats from the loss of mangroves and the shrinking of traditional grazing routes, leading to dedicated conservation efforts by local NGOs and

GKToday Admin · Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only The correct answer is [A] 1 and 2 only. The Kharai camel is a unique breed found exclusively in the Kutch region of Gujarat, India.

Swimming Capability (Statement 1 – Correct): Known as the \"swimming camel,\" the Kharai is the only breed in the world capable of swimming in seawater. They can swim up to three kilometers in the Gulf of Kutch to reach their grazing grounds.
Mangrove Diet (Statement 2 – Correct): Their diet is unique among camel breeds; they primarily survive by grazing on mangroves (Avicennia marina). This salty diet gives their milk a distinct flavor and contributes to their specialized physiology.
Domestication (Statement 3 – Incorrect): Kharai camels are not wild animals. They have been domesticated for centuries by the Jat and Rabari communities. These nomadic pastoralists rely on the camels for their livelihood, although the breed is now considered \"Endangered\" due to the degradation of mangrove ecosystems and industrialization.

Key Facts:

Habitat: Primarily found in the coastal districts of Kutch, Gujarat.
Recognition: In 2015, the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) recognized the Kharai as a distinct breed, making it the ninth recognized camel breed in India.
Conservation: They face threats from the loss of mangroves and the shrinking of traditional grazing routes, leading to dedicated conservation efforts by local NGOs and

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