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:

1. Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only.
2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only.
3. 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

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