Ethno-veterinary practices for camel diseases: A participatory assessment by the Raika pastoralist of Rajasthan

Abstract

The camel is practically symbolic for western arid region of Rajasthan. This animal has the immense contribution to livelihood of the Raika pastoral community who has a long relationship with this animal. Raikas followed their own traditional practices in all aspects of camel rearing including healthcare practices since time immemorial. Therefore, the present study was designed to document and appraise ethno-veterinary practices followed by the Raika pastoral community to cure important camel diseases like trypanosomiasis, camel pox and mange. A total 120 Raika pastoralists were interviewed from the six villages of Pali and Jodhpur district of Rajasthan on an open ended interview schedule to document the ethno-veterinary practices. Quantification of Indigenous Knowledge (QuIK) was applied for participatory assessment of the identified ethno-veterinary practices. The Raikas were using total 10 ethno-veterinary practices to cure the three diseases. Use of fruit of Withania coagulans (stock) Dunal was found to be most effective among the four identified practices to control camel trypanosomiasis (surra). Accordingly, use of neem leaves and; mixture of turmeric, butter and mustard oil were perceived as highly effective to cure camel pox and mange, respectively.

Keywords

• Camel
• Ethno-veterinary
• Raika pastoralist
• Rajasthan