Camel Meat

Camel meat is praised for its good quality, especially if it is derived from the calf. The major meat contents i.e. moisture, protein, fat and ash are reported as 71, 21.4, 4.4 and 1.1% respectively. Camels are good potential meat producers especially in arid regions where other meat-producing animals do not thrive. They grow well and yield carcasses of a comparable weight to beef cattle if optimal management conditions are provided. Camel meat, especially from young animals, contains low fat with low cholesterol as well as being a good source of amino acids and minerals. Camel meat is less tender than beef are probably due, at least in part, to the higher average animal age. The author recommend more research work in areas of meat production, technology, marketing, and social awareness is needed to exploit the potential of camels as a source of meat.

Anthropological facts about camel in Suleiman mountainous region of Balochistan Pakistan

Author:

Dr Abdul Raziq
Abstract


Camel came a bit late in the register of animal domestication. It is strongly believed that dromedary camel domesticated in the region, now known with the country Yemen (some 3200 years back) Bactrian camel was believed to domesticate in the historic town of Bakhdi in the Zoroaster\'s time, some 2200 years back. It is believed that before the introduction of dromedary camel in historic country of Bakhtaria, only Bactrian or Bakhdi camel was found , many tribes of the old Aryan tribes were nomads at that time & the Pakhit 'today\'s Pashtoon' were used to travel with their animals from Pamir region to Suleiman mountainous region which was their winter settlement the excavation of the ruins of Persepolis (Iran) Gandhar civilization (Sawat & Adjacent) only the statues & paintings of Bactrian camels were found. SMR being the 10 inter settlement of Pashtoon believed to have Bakhdi camel. The introduction of dromedary camel is linked with the Arab Muslims preachers. The Bactrian camel was crossed by dromedary to produce vigorous camel for heavy duty & the produced camel is still known as Maya in Pashto & is always one hump.


Location and History of research area

The region had very rich history. Avesta the holy book of Zoroaster written in 2570 and 2530 BP (Before Present) determines the Suleiman mountainous region and the Paktia in Afghanistan as Orawah. The region was called as Arya Warsha (mean the place for grazing). The word is still in use as Pashto (Warsh) word for the grazing land. Suleiman region is the historical home tract of the Pashtoon ethnic group. The famous Kase Mountain is situated here in Zhob district, which is believed to be the birth place of Kais the father of Pashtoon. Kharspoon, the grandson of Kais was believed to rule here with his family on the present northern Balochistan and Southern Afghanistan (Habibi, 1999). The famous Kharspoon Mountain is here in Musakhel district. The Baloch pastoral people live in the Southern part of the Suleiman region and famously called as Marri and Bugti hills.


Dromedary or Bactrian


The first definite reference to the dromedary in the Indian subcontinent appears to be in connection with the Muslim conquest {Muhammed bin Quasim, 717 A.D, Sindh} (Köhler-Rollefson, 1996). But this statement is true for the Indus delta, not for the mountainous region of Suleiman. Because the Suleiman Mountains are a major geological feature bordering ranges between the Iranian pleatue and the Indian sub-continent (Encyclopedia Wikipedia, 2007).


In Mohenjo-Daro, and Harappa archeological sites, the statues of indicus cattle were found but not that of camel (Habibi, 1999). But Epstein 1971, reported the remains of camel dating back to the third millennium BC, were excavated in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. In Loralai the statues of horses were excavated from the ruins dating back to the third millennium B.C. In Killi Gul Muhammad, Quetta the statues of Dear and Indicus cattle has been found. In Vida (old book of Aryan), the name of sheep, goat and cattle is common but the name of camel is not discussed (Habibi, 1999).


The time of the introduction of the dromedary in the region is particularly difficult to determine on account of the pre-existence of the Bactrian camel. In the Avestha the holy book references to the camel are common but it is not clear to which specie reference is being made. It is assumed that dromedary entered in the region concurrent with the Muslim preachers. The assumption is borne out by craving on the walls at Persepolis, constructed sometimes during the fifth or sixth century BC (Wilson, 1984). Habibi, 1999, assumed that the craving Bactrian camel on the walls at Persepolis, leading by man is believed to be the picture of the local people and camel of that time. The author personally visited the Buddha museum in Sawat (Falling in the north end of Suleiman mountainous series), where the statue of Bactrian camel was found. Bordering the Sulaiman Range to the north are the arid highlands of the Hindu Kush, with more than 50 percent of the lands there lying above 2,000 m (6,500 feet) Encyclopedia Wikipedia, 2007. Second proof of the Bactrian origin of the Kohi camel is its well adaptation to the extreme low temperature. The Kohi camel found on the peaks of Suleiman Mountains with a height more than 3000 meter ASL.


References


Encyclopedia Wikipedia, 2010, www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_plateau


Epstein 1971, H. 1971. The origin of the domestic animals of Africa. Africana Publishing Corporation, New York, USA.


GOB, 1999, Balochistan District Database. Planning and Dev. Department, Government of Balochistan, Pakistan. http://www.bdd.sdnpk.org


Habibi, 1999, A.H. 1999. The short history of Afghanistan. Danish Publisher, Qisa Khuani Bazar, Peshawar, Pakistan.


Köhler-Rollefson. Ilse, (1996) the one-humped camel in Asia: origin, utilization and mechanisms of dispersal. Pp. 282-294 in D. Harris, Ed. The Origins and Spread of Agriculture and Pastoralism in Eurasia. London, UCL Press.


Nolte, 2003, M. 2003. The genetic characterization of Camelus dromedarius in southern Africa. Dissertation in Master of Science in Zoology in the Faculty of Sciences at the Rand Afrikaans University, Auckland Park Johannesburg, South Africa.


Wilson, 1984, R.T. 1984. Camels



Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/anthropological-facts-about-camel-in-suleiman-mountainous-region-of-balochistan-pakistan-4260693.html
About the Author
Author is the president of the Society of Animal, Vet. and Environmental Scientists (SAVES). Author had been working on the issues of the dry lands and indigenous livestock breeds.

Agricultural development and role of Media

Author:

Dr Abdul Raziq
Agriculture is the backbone of the national economy. It had been pretended that agriculture is the foremost priority in the development agenda, but investment in agriculture and rural development is still lagging behind. Communication for agriculture is also not seen as a major precedence at either national or international level and the role of the media as an effective player in agricultural and rural development is undervalued. Reporting on agriculture is largely restricted to natural disasters, food shortages and rising food prices. Some argue, however, that the media has a potentially broader role in raising the profile of agriculture amongst decision-makers as well as the wider public, and in communicating farmers\' needs.


The journalist\'s job is not to be the public relations tool of the development organization, of the Ministry of Agriculture or of the farmers\' organization. The journalist\'s job is to find and tell good stories from the fields and farmer communities. Journalists are not specialists in agriculture. The journalistic skills and use of those skills can bring information to the wider public. Traditionally the use of the media has been about communicating research messages when there are success stories in particular. But journalists have the potential to be more of an agent of changes themselves. They are in quite a unique position, potentially being the voice of policymakers, the voice of farmers, the voice of researchers. So they potentially can be quite a powerful catalyst for change.


The essential role of the media is to create opportunities for farmers to express themselves directly on the air: this is the only way that they will have a say and therefore participate in the decision process. The journalists need some training for reporting the issues of agriculture and rural development but unfortunately it is not a custom in many developing countries. In many countries, journalists are not specialized as agricultural journalists or any particular discipline. So I think that scientists should play a more active role in simplifying their research findings, making it easier for the journalists to interpret and report on such agricultural research.


With a good and ground knowledge about the agriculture and farming communities, a journalist can act like a catalyst in the field of agricultural development. It is very unfortunately that very few media people know about the alarming issues like food security, biodiversity and climate change affects. We know that agricultural extension is almost dead in many countries, so farmers have to depend on the media to deliver information. Secondly the media can also provide a platform through which the farmers can engage with policymakers, so that their perspectives can be taken on board. Thirdly the media can also profile the work of farmers so that lessons and experiences can be shared.


I would say their essential role is as a catalyst, to facilitate a link between farmers and scientific information. This information is available but it does not circulate. Why? Because the media does not know that this information exists and the farmers don\'t have the tools to access it. You have to ensure that all agricultural projects have journalists or media people as stakeholders in the process, and that provision should be made for them, like you make provision for other members of the team. The media needs to be engaged more as a partner at the beginning, during the work and at the end and not as a special invitee to events, seminars and openings.


One of the major challenges is resource constraint. If the media have to go to the rural areas to cover agriculture, it is very costly. I think the other major problem is really that of capacity. The media are not built to fully understand this complex issue that we are dealing with i.e. agriculture and rural development. I think the essential constraints are the lack of resources for the media, but it is not only a question of financial reward. The journalists are not specialized enough: they do not know rural issues and are not close to the farmers.

It could be useful to train more reporters in local areas because it is a big constraint for reporters that they cannot travel to certain places. So that instead of people travelling, people could just connect to reporters at a local place, maybe by phone or through the internet. We need to have more forums where the media engages with the policymakers, because policymakers don\'t usually understand the role of the media. They think the media is just supposed to be public relations, whereas our role is more than that. I would say that the national governments should promote rural and agricultural development in a more active, concrete way e.g. to give the necessary equipment and financial rewards to the media, to go and report on agricultural subjects.


Many times journalists just report and report. If someone come and get a story from a farmer, he will give a very good story. Tomorrow another person will come and if he doesn\'t see returns farmer will say you are wasting my time. So we should make sure there is a feedback to the farmer and not just to extract from them. Sort of like a win-win situation. In short media can play a key role in the agricultural and rural development. Media people should come forward and raise the issues related to the agriculture, food security and climate change affects.






Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/journalism-articles/agricultural-development-and-role-of-media-4292613.html
About the Author
Author is the president of the Society of Animal, Vet. and Environmental Scientists (SAVES). Author had been working on the issues of the dry lands and indigenous livestock breeds.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)

Author:

Dr Abdul Raziq
Preamble


The Congo Virus was first traced, in 1946, in Crimean and later in Congo. It was then named Crimean Congo Virus. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is life-threatening disease caused by Nairovirus of genus Bunyavirus caused by tick bite of Hayalomma species or by direct contact of the blood/sera of the patient and animals suffering from this disease. Epidemics have been occurring in Balochistan province of Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan and Iran from time to time with high mortality. Because of the virus, the infected person suddenly becomes ill with fever, dizziness, neck pain, aching muscles and stiffness, and recurrent headaches within a few days. Soon, after vomiting and diarrhea have set in, the volume of blood platelets falls, causing the blood to be unable to clot properly. The bleeding then begins from the gums, from under the skin, in the nose and other natural orifices. Without treatment, a patient can literally bleed to death. Victims usually die within two weeks of infection.


Introduction of the disease in Pakistan


In Pakistan it was first detected when a surgeon of Rawalpindi General Hospital, Abdul Mateen Siddiqui, had infected while operating a patient. The doctor, ward boy, patient and his father all had died in a single incident. In the year 2000, most of the VHF infection cases occurring in Pakistan were from Balochistan province. However, few cases were reported from NWFP and Sindh provinces.


Transmission and out break


It is likely that CCHF virus was transmitted by physical contact with cases or their body fluids in the Quetta outbreak. Airborne transmission is even more unlikely. The possibility of airborne transmission in animals has been noted and used to justify protective measures. Percutaneous exposure posed the highest risk of transmission, which is consistent with data on other viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). However, current VHF management guidelines recommended caution with body fluids such as blood, excreta, vomit, sweat and saliva especially for patients with respiratory symptoms or in latter stages of illness characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, hemorrhagic and shock.

Diagnosis and Control

That fatal fever can be controlled if diagnosed in the initial phase and can even be treated by administering the anti-viral ribavirin drug. Since the country lacks diagnostic facilities on viral diseases, a doctor should be able to distinguish Congo fever with the ordinary fever, so that he or she puts the patient on the medicine. Majority of Pakistan\'s general practitioners, however, are not trained to make clinical diagnosis of Congo fever, whose initial symptoms resemble that of ordinary flu.


The government of Balochistan established a CCHF treatment center at Fatima Jinnah Hospital Quetta after confirmed reports of death of few cases suffering from illness like CCHF in Pishin District. The doctors, paramedics, health workers and general public were informed about the significance of early detection and treatment of this disease through media, advertisement in local newspapers and with an advice to refer all such cases to the center for free treatment.


Ribavirin is a costly medicine, which cannot be afforded for every patient in Pakistan. Ribavirin has been shown to have activity in-vitro against CCHF virus in concentrations as low as ug/ml5. The intravenous preparation is recommended for treatment of viral hemorrhagic fevers and oral form for post exposure prophylaxis. Oral Ribavirin was also shown to be effective in patients with less severe disease.

CCHF mainly occurs in remote rural communitiesand it was a rare disease in Pakistan but now it is spreading in different drought affected areas of the country and the virus also has access to the cities through animals.


The doctors say that minimum mortality rate in CCHF is 60 per cent. The treatment of the disease is very expensive, and one course of anti-viral drugs costs $ 100 and the course of injection costs $ 10,000. The injections had been administered to every suspected patient, which were provided by National Institute of Health (NIH). The tests for the detection of the disease are very expensive and the facility is not available in Pakistan. The South African Laboratories testing is considered extremely reliable and the World Health Organization (WHO) only accepts the tests from South African P-3 laboratories, which are considered best in the world.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/crimean-congo-hemorrhagic-fever-cchf-4319706.html
About the Author
Author is the president of the Society of Animal, Vet. and Environmental Scientists (SAVES). Author had been working on the issues of the dry lands and indigenous livestock breeds. The author have the experience of livestock keeping, breeding and healthcare with both indigenous and modern knowledge. He had been working with the pastoral people for last 10 years, while motivating livestock keepers for their rights and access to grazing lands under the patronage of SAVES. Ahthor had been delivering training to the livestock keepers in remote for vaccination, drenching and other valuable practices. He is the author of the Pashtoon Bio-cultural protocol, which serves for the rights of the pastoral people under the ABS and work for the implementation of the Article J8 of the CBD. He is also the author of the indigenous livestock breeds, livestock production systems of the tribal people and indigenous knowledge in Balochistan province, Cholistan and Thar Desert of the Great Indian Desert. He had been traveling with the Afghan nomads (Kochis) to work and document their indigenous knowledge of livestock husbandry.

Author organized camel scientists and herder in Pakistan and founded Camel Association of Pakistan. Recently in Jan. 2010, we organized 3 days livestock keepers meeting under the patronage of SAVES and discussed the Pashtoon Bio-cultural protocol and organized an organization with the name of Indigenous Livestock Breeders Association (ILBA).
He has already presented many international research presentations at various occasions.Dr Abdul Raziq had visited many countries and research stations.

Camel under threat

Author:

Dr Abdul Raziq
Camel is very precious animal genetic resource of the drylands and playing pivotal role in the livelihood earning of the pastoral people of that region. Camel is a miracle and precious gift of Allah. Camel has all the characteristics alone which are scattered in almost all other livestock species and even plants. The importance of camel already explained in the previous article published in Articlebase.com. http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/a-unique-and-fascinating-creature-the-camel-4217611.html


In spite of the all the characteristics and peculiarities, camel are never addressed while formulating policies for the agricultural and rural development of the dry lands. It is very unfortunately that such a well adapted livestock like camel is neglected especially in the circumstances of desertification, climate change and global warming scenario. Some breeds of camel, under very minimum external in puts and ordinary grazing systems produce more than 30 kg of milk. Camel is an efficient machine which produces milk with a very low consumption of energy and proteins. Camels have true potential to combat the creeping desertification and global warming. It is a guarantee for safe quality food for the coming decades and centuries.


The situation for camel is now very miserable. This precious animal is under threat. There are many reasons for this sad state of situation but all are manmade. Negligence about the importance of camel and considering it as an old fashion are the main drivers for threatening camel development and production. I think the camel issue is not a country\'s issue. It is a regional issue i.e. the camel is pushed in large number to Iran from Pakistani Balochistan by smugglers. They don\'t bother about sex and physiological status. Many of them are pregnant. The number of camels is speedily decreasing in Pakistan, though our grey records don\'t correspond with this sad situation. The same is a dilemma in Afghanistan and India. Only in India, camel population dropped steeply within 10 years by about 50 The situation in Pakistan, especially Balochistan is not different from that. The best milk producing breeds of camel in Pakistan are Kharani and Brela. Kharani breeds is highly smuggled to Iran while Brela breed from Thar and Cholistan desert had been exported at large scale to Arabian rich gulf countries.


Unfortunately, one gets the impression that there has been not much development on this and that no donor has taken up this issue, although the camel is about the best thing that could happen to humanity as a means of adaptation to climate change and decreasing groundwater resources. Furthermore, the health benefits for Diabetes patients also make its milk a prime marketable good. Thousands of really marginalized people could contribute to food security and develop an economic perspective, if they received support with setting up value chains and marketing arrangements. Unfortunately, in the absence of such support, it is only cash-rich countries or private investors who can reap the benefits. The Arabian Gulf countries are currently trying to buy as many female camels as possible, since their supply of milk cannot match
demand, especially with demand for camel milk powder to make chocolate. It would be a tragedy if countries such as India, Pakistan, Iran and others would sell out their genetic resources that are incredibly valuable assets during climate change and provide livelihoods for rural people who are currently despondent because of lack of economic perspectives..


Suggestions and further innovations


There need to join hands and work on regional basis. SAVES is looking for a regional cooperation on the issue of camel decline. In this connection, value addition to camel milk is one of the key spot to help camel keepers and to conserve breeds. Livestock keepers are the custodian of their breeds and related indigenous knowledge is the basis for sustainable husbandry practices. Both the keepers and ultimately the indigenous knowledge are under threat.

LPPS in India is working on various products (incl. ice cream) and also has test-marketed the milk to local Diabetes patients in Jaisalmer with a good response. Nevertheless, there are many technical problems to be overcome and investments needed - in order to set up a camel dairy and cooling chain.



Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/camel-under-threat-4380961.html
About the Author
Author is the president of the Society of Animal, Vet. and Environmental Scientists (SAVES). Author had been working on the issues of the dry lands and indigenous livestock breeds. The author have the experience of livestock keeping, breeding and healthcare with both indigenous and modern knowledge. He had been working with the pastoral people for last 10 years, while motivating livestock keepers for their rights and access to grazing lands under the patronage of SAVES. Ahthor had been delivering training to the livestock keepers in remote for vaccination, drenching and other valuable practices. He is the author of the Pashtoon Bio-cultural protocol, which serves for the rights of the pastoral people under the ABS and work for the implementation of the Article J8 of the CBD. He is also the author of the indigenous livestock breeds, livestock production systems of the tribal people and indigenous knowledge in Balochistan province, Cholistan and Thar Desert of the Great Indian Desert. He had been traveling with the Afghan nomads (Kochis) to work and document their indigenous knowledge of livestock husbandry.


Author organized camel scientists and herder in Pakistan and founded Camel Association of Pakistan. Recently in Jan. 2010, we organized 3 days livestock keepers meeting under the patronage of SAVES and discussed the Pashtoon Bio-cultural protocol and organized an organization with the name of Indigenous Livestock Breeders Association (ILBA).
He has already presented many international research presentations at various occasions.Dr Abdul Raziq had visited many countries and research stations.

Role of Camel in Suleiman Mountainous Region of Pakistan

Suleiman region is situated in the northeastern mountainous belt of Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Livestock farming has been a centuries old occupation of a vast majority of the population in Suleiman region. It was the only source of food winning for most of the households; hence all the family members were used to graze their livestock. The livestock farmers follow a regular pattern of seasonal migration. Livestock raising communities live throughout the region, especially in the mountainous areas. 

Women help feeding animals at home if fodder is available and do the milking and taking care of young and sick animals. By grazing the animals women and children share in the economic burden of the household. On the other hand, it deprives the children of getting an education, which is a basic constitutional right of every child. This survey was aimed at to highlight the characteristics of the camel breeds available in this area and to know better about their role in the life of the herders of Suleiman region. Camels are an animal genetic resource and constitute an indispensable natural resource in Suleiman region that must be properly managed. Many studies praised their unique characteristics especially under the most stressful conditions and rugged mountains.

A fatal Respiratory Camel Disease

Summary

A highly contagious respiratory disease was first reported from Washuk, Dalbandin and Panjgur (Chaghai Kaharan desert) districts of Balochistan province of Pakistan in the month of July, 2010. The disease was frivolously taken as the results of the dust storm and dry spells. According to the history, the disease was spread with the dust fill winds after the long drought period in the driest areas of the province of Balochistan and adjoining areas of Iran and Afghanistan. In other areas the disease was spread by the marketed and migrated animals. The signs and symptoms of the disease are comprised of white sticky mucus nasal discharge, nasal blockage with thick scar formation (partially plugging) on nasal orifice, no regurgitation, ultimately the animal goes off feed. A treatment with Amoxicillin Trihydrate (150 mg per ml) at the dose rate of 1ml per 10kg body weight was provided by local veterinarians and other practitioners. A single shot of the above said antibiotic recovered the animal within 12 hour. All the physiological activity restored within 24 hours.

Picture of an affected camel from Sibi Balochistan

The second report came from the Suleiman Mountainous region and Thar Desert of Sind of Pakistan with the same sign and symptoms. The disease did not cause any mortality but was highly epidemic and caused high level of morbidity. The disease responds quick and positively to penicillin. The animal treated recovered in 3 days. The third and alarming report came from Cholistan Desert and southern part of KPK of Pakistan. That testimony was frightening with high mortality. Also a high mortality was also reported from Western Indian state of Rajasthan. Some additional signs were also reported; like sudden death after the onset of the disease and water omission from the mouth of the dead animal just after the death.

Symptoms of the Disease

The symptoms reported from Chaghai Kharan and other parts of Balochistan, Sindh and adjoining areas of KPK were summarized from the reports (sent from the veterinarians from the field) and personal observation of the sick animals brought from the affected areas in the camel market at Quetta are as following.

· Transmission through man and animals

· No age restriction

· Sign appear within 24 hours after introduction of an animal or herd men from the affected areas

· Highly contagious

· Dullness and depression and loss of appetite.

· Nasal blockage with thick scar formation (partially plugging) on nasal orifice

· Nasal discharge opaque in color and blockage make a hard scar

· Coughing and some animal do open mouth breathing

· Gradual loss in body weight until the disease exists

· Recover within 21 days naturally, if not treated

· Animal recover when the pus discharge from ear (some camel herders observation) and the pus color is bluish white

· Salivation increase during the disease period

· Pus like laceration from the eyes during disease

· Mortality is very rare in Balochistan but reported from the southern part of KPK

· In KPK, some herders observed about 10% mortality in camel herds, which occurs suddenly

The signs and symptoms reported from Cholistan desert of Pakistan were somewhat different and are presented in the ensuing lines.

· The disease is highly epidemic and about 80% of the camel herd was affected

· Sticky white nasal discharge

A dead animal with the new disease in Cholistan (courtesy Dr Sohail Khan)

· A blood tint nasal discharge was observed

· The sick animal usually keeps their head upward

· The animal goes emaciated and weak

· The mortality rate is high

· The death occurs within three days after the onset of the disease.

Postpartum Findings

The postmortem findings were reported from a field veterinarian (Sohail Khan) along with the pictures of sick and dead animals. Larynx of the dead camel was swollen and the whole trachea was lacerated. The lungs were filled with sticky exudates. There were black spots on the lungs and were fused with the ribs. Whole the respiratory tract was filled with the blood tint sticky materials.

Laboratory finding

The only laboratory finding of the disease reported from scientists in Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (CVDL), Tandojam Sindh. According to the findings, Bacterium (Pasturralla) was responsible for this disease, though other types of bacterium like Streptococci were also found in the samples. The same findings are also reported from the laboratory findings from BZU Multan. But still we cannot reach to final conclusion either the disease is viral or bacterial. The findings for bacterial positive can be link with the secondary bacterial infection.

Discussion

The Scientists say that the symptoms described could point to a respiratory viral infection with bacterial complications taking into account the contagiousness nature of the outbreak. However, they said, it is hard to come up with a definitive diagnosis unless one confirm by laboratory methods. The positive response of the disease to Penicillin might be link with the secondary bacterial infection.

Hanwant Singh of LPPS in Rajasthan from a famous camel keeping community of Raika reported about camel respiratory disease with many camels dying. According to him disease is reported from all corner of the Rajasthan. In contrary to Chaghai Kharan desert, the Raika pastoral of Rajasthan doubt that the disease might be link with the massive rain fall in last moon soon (2010). The disease comes along with nasal discharge and the Animal husbandry department is calling it "bronchopneumonia". Ilse Kohler Rollefson, project director of the LPP in Rajasthan reported that hundreds or more likely thousands of camels are currently dying in India and Pakistan and maybe adjoining countries due to the outbreak of a mysterious respiratory disease to which there is no organized response and which has not been diagnosed.

Bernard Faye, France from the famous institute of CIRAD commented on the disease and said that probably there is bacterial contamination but the origin of the disease is probably viral.

There is no doubt that the disease is viral but I doubt if it is PPR. The signs of PPR are quite different, i.e. diarrhea, laceration, gums decomposition and severe emaciation etc.

The scientists in CVDL Tandojam, after lab examination revealed that a Bacterium (pasturralla) was responsible for this disease, though other types of bacterium like Streptoccoi were also found in the samples.

According to Dr. Abdelmalik I. Khalafalla, from Syria, similar respiratory killing disease was reported in Sudan, Ethiopia and kenya (1996-2006) and after lab investigations it turns to be caused by PPR virus, a morbillivirus of the Paramyxoviridae. He advised to send swabs, lymph node and lungs samples to CIRAD or IAEA laboratories for lab diagnosis. In case it a PPR in camel’s susceptible, non infected camels may be vaccinated with sheep PPR vaccine, the same stopped the progress of the disease in Sudan. He said that he is ready to assist.

Renaud Lancelot from CIRAD, France, affirmed that he at CIRAD is very much interested and ready to collaborate. He further suggested that it would also be important to check other pathogens such as Pasteurella and Mycoplasma, the latter being difficult to diagnose. He further offered that samples could be to CIRAD, and they will share samples with Adama Diallo at IAEA.

Suggestion

I would suggest you advise Vet authorities in the affected areas to collect lymph nodes and lungs from dead animals and nasal swabs from clinically sick camels and submit for lab diagnosis by PCR and ELISA. Kindly read the abstract on PPR in camels and let me know about the epidemiology of the disease in Pakistan. I also received similar observation from Iran. Let us establish a network to assist in exchange information on camel diseases. The international scientists suggested that the veterinarians in the affected areas might collect lymph nodes and lungs from dead animals and nasal swabs from clinically sick camels and submit for lab diagnosis by PCR and ELISA.

The Swedish scientists of SVA, Kerstin and Set proposed a task force and also a detailed and practical operating manual for sampling (information from animal keepers and clinical examination), how to sample, which animals to sample, how to submit samples, what to analyze, how to interpret results and how to act depending on the interpretation) would be useful. The manual should be useful not just for these respiratory disease outbreaks but also for other infectious diseases, to be prepared for future outbreaks.

Role of indigenous livestock breeds in the livelihood earning of the Chaghai Kharan desert dwellers

Balochistan is the largest province and makes about 44% of the total geographical area of the country. Most of the area is rangelands with only 5% arable. Livestock is one of the major important sectors of the Province housing about 20% of the national stock. However, with the little manufacturing and under developed infrastructure, the provincial economy lags far behind than other parts of the country and the situation in Chaghi Kharan region is even worse than the other parts of the province. Animal agriculture is the centuries old occupation of the people residing in Balochistan, especially Chaghi Kharan ecology. The region is the cradle of many precious livestock breeds i.e. Kharani camel, Rakhshani sheep, Morak and Khurasani goat, playing important role in the socio-cultural and socioeconomic verve of its inhabitants. The exact value of such precious animal genetic resource has never been realized and yet, no serious steps have been taken for its improvement.

The well adapted livestock breeds of the region can be use as tool against poverty, malnutrition, affect of creeping desertification and global warming. These livestock species are not only important for food and agriculture in the present but also important as building blocks of the future animal genetic resources. Besides having such precious resources the livestock keepers are still sinking in the sea of poverty and yet very scanty efforts had been done to strengthen them. The main causes of the being rich but poor livestock keepers are the illiteracy, poor government and NGOs support, negligence in the research and development policies of the public sector, poor marketing, neglected livestock products and many more. Any effort for the development of the livestock sector in the region cannot be successful until the local livestock breeds are not involved, because of the adaptation of the local breeds to the desert ecology. The animals of different species distributed by Government and different NGOs for the development of livestock production and poverty elevation completely failed because of the inadequate knowledge about the local breeds’ characteristics and ecological features. This study was therefore, conducted to know the potential of the local livestock breeds and to find the ways to develop the region by strengthening of local animal genetic resources and its keepers. The study was conducted in 3 districts of the region, i.e. Chaghai, Kharan and Washuk.

A total of 170 respondents were interviewed on a pre-tested questionnaire to obtain data about livestock share in family income, herd size and structure, type of husbandry, marketing issues and women role etc. It was found that the livestock was grazed by owners themselves and most of the owner were illiterate. In the existing livestock production system the number of goats is higher, followed by camel and sheep in the region calculated on the livestock unit (LSU) basis. It was revealed that mountainous areas are inhabited by goat, plain/semi irrigated areas by sheep and desert by camel. Again on LSU basis, in the region has the largest herd/flock size of goat followed by camel and finally sheep. The majority of the inhabitants of the region depend on livestock and more than 90% of the livestock keeper’s major activity was livestock keeping. Production system is transhumant (41%), followed by sedentary (48%) and the rest is nomadic (11%). The main purpose of the livestock keeping was the livelihood earning followed by heritage and recreation. The livestock keepers do not sale their animals routinely but sell when need cash for family needs. The animals play role as bank on hooves and the family needs are fulfilled by selling their animals. The average prices of the animals sold last year were as camel, sheep and goat PKR 52500, 4625 and 3800 respectively. The health facility for the livestock is rarely available and animals are treated and vaccinated only in the areas close to the facility. In most of the cases the herder does treat the animals themselves with ethnoveterinary medicines (EVM). The common diseases of the region are pox, foot and mouth disease, pluro-pneumonia, enterotoxaemia and trypanosomiasis. The women are sole responsible for the care and management at home. They usually process the livestock products especially milk and wool and the income goes to them.

Importance of Indigenous Livestock Breeds! a look in Balochistan

Balochistan province comprises of arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL), makes about 44% of the total geographical area of the country. Only 5% is arable and the rest is rangelands. Livestock is one of the major important sectors, and housing about 20% of the national stock of Pakistan. Province is the cradle of many precious livestock breeds and play pivotal role in the socio-cultural and socioeconomic life of its inhabitants. Animal genetic resource provides a major source of livelihood and mean of utilization of marginal environments not suitable for cultivation. The Animal genetic resources are the building blocks for future livestock development that will enable livestock keepers to respond to changes in animal production circumstances and new consumers preferences. The livestock genetic diversity is the product of local environmental conditions combined with the breeding strategies of traditional communities. Interspecies biodiversity is the outcome of many different communities managing livestock in many different habitats and ecological zones. The ability of livestock to survive natural calamities (droughts, climatic extremes) is necessarily more important than high productivity. Also local livestock breeds are embodied with indigenous knowledge which is an important human resource for animal breeding and precious heritage for the inhabitants.

These precious and important livestock breeds, we have in hand are currently under threat and disappearing even before documentation. There are many reasons for this sad state of situation i.e. war and conflicts (some breeds are maintained on the basis of regular migration according to the season and foliage availability and the wars and conflicts minimize the herds movements), epidemic diseases, urbanization and cross breeding, changing livestock systems from subsistence (extensive) to commercial (intensive), lack of valuation of local breeds, increasing competition for natural resources, environmental degradation and global warming. Economic forces of globalization as well as political backing for crossbreeding with exotic breeds, among other factors, have already resulted in the disappearance of a large number of these breeds and many more are threatened globally. There is utmost need of time to characterize and document these breeds according to the perspectives of their own livestock keepers. Only the respective livestock keepers know the important traits of their animal genetic resources. This study was therefore, conducted to characterize and document the indigenous animal genetic resources in the livestock keepers’ perspectives. A survey was conducted on the basis of the ecological zones and each zone with the relevant livestock breeds was discussed accordingly. A Performa was designed for each species and the relevant breeders were interviewed. The breeders were selected on the basis of the willingness, availability, indigenous knowledge, area of the breed and accessibility etc. Questions asked were mainly about the socioeconomic importance, breeding goals, breed features, special traits, marketing, population size and trend. The biometry was conducted with a tape meter of the mature animals of camel breed in the morning time when their bellies were empty. A color illustrated table was used as a standard for the name of the color of the breed and was further verified the color while in the group discussions with the herders in a feedback seminar. It was found that there are six ecological zones on the basis of livestock types, production systems and penology. In each zone there were camel, goat sheep but some ecological zones also have the donkey, horses and cattle. Camel is one of the important animals and is under threat in many ecological zones. The last drought had badly affected livestock production systems and some species like cattle and sheep were adversely influenced. The sheep and cattle population is again increasing in number. All the livestock species have obtained high values and economic potentials as the prices of milk, meat and draft animals have increased many folds. It was concluded that value addition to livestock products, niche marketing and ecotourism can be the good tools for the livestock improvement and poverty reduction in such livestock production systems.

camel! solution for difficult questions

Camels were originally domesticated for their milk. Following the move to use the camel as a beast of burden especially for armies, there has been a return to its original task. Camel is no more the animal of the old world, but an animal which may be use to combat the growing desertification and to feed millions of people living in those areas. There are many scientific data concerning the anatomy, physiology and endocrinology of lactation in camels. It has been shown that camels can provide 15-20 liters of milk per day for a lactation period of up to 18 months, making it a very good farm animal. The camel produces in harsh and hostile conditions where other animal may not survive. Studies conducted in the horn of Africa revealed that the camel produced more milk than the other types of tropical animals compared on the basis of kg /TLU/year. Camel milk is now used in the modern urban masses and found in the shelf of the super markets and shopping malls in the form of plain and flavored milk, cheese and chocolate. Globally camel produces about 2 % of the world total milk and that milk is mostly produced by pastoral people and consumed locally. Some attempts have been made to market such camel milk after collection and pasteurization in central processing unit factory (India, Kenya, Mauritania and now in U.A.E.).

There is a weak knowledge about the true potential of the camel and very rare references are available in the scientific database especially on various quantitative traits like daily and lactation yields and the factors affecting on it. In Pakistan camel population attain one million head with almost 20% of lactating camel produces around 0.6 million ton of milk annually, but had never documented as independent entity in the grey records of thecountry. Per head basis camel in the country produces far better than the indigenous milch breeds of cattle and buffalo, Friesian and their crosses. The camel sustain its productivity in difficult conditions and comparatively lesser affected by the adverse factors like lack of feed, water, season and length of lactation. There is a wide diversity of breeds in the camel found in the arid and semiarid lands (ASAL) of the world. An enormous production variation has been observed in the different individuals of the same breeds, between the breeds and areas to area. This variation can be use successfully in the future strategies of the milk improvement. The time has reached to know and exploit the true potential of camel and to find the ways to sustain this old industry for the cause of the conservation of important animal genetic resource and transform it in a modern entrepreneur in the near future.