19.12.2023

Camelids , Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow 

Why in the news?

The United Nations recently declared 2024 the International Year of Camelids.

About Camelids:

• A Camelid refers to any of the even-toed ungulates of the family Camelidae. g. camels, llamas,alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas.
• They are known for their remarkable adaptations to arid and high-altitude environments.
• These ungulates can be classified into two major groups: the Old World and the New World.
• The Old-World Camelids, found in northern Africa and central Asia are the true camels, such as the dromedary camels (one-humped camel) and the Bactrian camels (two-humped camel), characterised by:

○their humps on their backs and

○the dulla, which is an organ found on the throat of male camels and is believed to be associated with the display of dominance among males and for attracting females.

• The South American Camelids (New World Camelids) include the modern llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. Wild populations of South American Camelids, such as vicuñas, inhabit the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains.

Importance of Camelids

• Camelids play an important role in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) envisaged by the United Nations.
• Camelids are a source of milk and meat which helps people fight hunger. They also provide fibre which can be used for clothing and shelter.
• Camelids are also used by people as a means of transportation.
• They also provide organic fertilizer which can be used in agriculture. Moreover, Camelids are known to survive in harsh conditions.
• In the highlands of Andes mountain ranges and in the arid and semi-arid lands in Africa and Asia, camelids play a major role in the livelihood of the inhabitants. Camelids can thus be ambassadors to raise awareness about climate change.

Objective of The International Year of Camelids 2024

• The International Year of Camelids 2024 aims to build awareness of the untapped potential of camelids and to call for increased investment in the camelid sector, advocating for greater research, capacity development and the use of innovative practices and technologies.
• The aim of the announcement is to highlight the important role of camelids in the context of protection of ecosystems, biodiversity conservation and food security and in adapting to climate change.

                                                           Source:Hindustan times