Read Why This German Veterinarian Has Spent Half Of Her Life In Rajasthan

Monday, December 19 2016, 10:15:39

Read Why This German Veterinarian Has Spent Half Of Her Life In Rajasthan

JWB Post

December 17, 2016

Ilse Kohler-Rollefson arrived at Rajasthan back in 1990, some 26 years ago. She instantly fell in love with the state and in particular with the ship of the desert.

Two decades later, this German veterinarian who is the author of a book on camels titled Camel Karma, is the lone ranger when it comes to championing the conservation of camels as the animal’s population is steadily on the decline.

Yes, believe it or not, in the future there could be a time when Rajasthan will be left without any of its state animal, the camel. There are many reasons behind this, the primary cause being that camel rearing becoming out of favor with the Raika tribe in Rajasthan whose traditional occupation has been to rear camels.

That is why Ilse has set up an NGO called the Lohkit Pashu-Palak Sangathan, which is serving as a advocacy group for the Raikas and the camels.

Ilse is trying to inject a fresh life in the dying tradition of camel rearing by exploring the number of ways through which it could be popularized.

Along with organizing the Marwar Camel Culture Festival and spreading awareness about the animal by holding Camel Yatras, the Sangathan also strives hard to commercialize the various products derived from the animal.

Very few people know that camel milk is highly beneficial to health and along with being low on fats is also good for people suffering from diabetes.

Moreover, children who are autistic are known to sleep better after taking camel milk. Recently, Ilsa and her team have been able to come up with several varieties of camel cheese which are available in a ‘camel café’ run by the Sangathan.

Of course, Ilsa had to face a fair share of challenges during her two-decade-long journey and activism, but as is evident today, her contribution to saving the ship of the desert from the clutches of extinction is unmatched.