Camel, only solace in Rajasthan

Tamlor (INDO-PAK RAJASTHAN), MAY 2. Forced to brave the drought with blisters on their feet, villagers in western Rajasthan can look to only one solace, their camel - the desert ship which has been the lifeline for the rural areas for ages.

``We can't imagine life without the camel,'' says Udaram (65) of Asara village.

``Camel teaches you patience and fighting spirit in the scorching heat with water or without water,'' says Bhaktaram, Udaram's nephew.

But, this year's drought has taken a heavy toll of camels with a large number of them succumbing daily. During a 100-odd km drive into western region of Barmer district, one comes across no less than ten sites strewn with camel carcasses.

District administration officials do not have any statistics on camel deaths either this year or in the past but they admit that the camel population is steadily dropping.

- PTI

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Section  : Regional
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