Central Idea
- Indian Army has inducted double-humped camels for patrolling and logistical support along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.
About Double-Humped Camels
- The Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), is also known as the Mongolian camel, domestic Bactrian camel or two-humped camel.
- Their name comes from the ancient historical region of Bactria.
- It is a large even-toed ungulate native to the steppes of Central Asia.
- It has two humps on its back, in contrast to the single-humped dromedary.
- The humps are plump and pliable. They store fat, which can be converted into water and energy when food and water resources are scarce during harsh winters.
- A small population of Bactrian camel exists in the Nubra valley of Ladakh.
Significance of deployment
- These camels serve to patrol the LAC and provide logistical aid to troops in the difficult, barren landscape of Eastern Ladakh.
- They can carry 170 kg and patrol up to 15 km without rest, surpassing the load capacity of mules previously used by the army.
- The Army’s 14 corps is deploying these camels in strategic areas like Depsang and Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) along the LAC.
Try this PYQ from the 2019 CS Prelims:
Q. Consider the following statements:
- Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only.
- Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only.
- One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Post your answers here.
