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Q44·GS Paper 1 · Prelims 2016

Kharai camel breed characteristics

EnvironmentWildlife and BiodiversityStatement-basedMediumStatic

Question

What is/are unique about 'Kharai camel', a breed found in India?

1It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater.
2It survives by grazing on mangroves.
3It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1.

    It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater.

  2. 2.

    It survives by grazing on mangroves.

  3. 3.

    It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.

Options

a

1 and 2 only

Answer
b

3 only

c

1 and 3 only

d

1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Kharai camel, found in the Kutch region of Gujarat, is a unique breed known for its exceptional ability to swim in seawater and survive for long distances in marine environments—a rare trait among camels. It also feeds on mangrove vegetation, which is tolerant to salt, making it well-adapted to coastal saline environments. Statement 3 is incorrect because Kharai camels have been domesticated by local herders in the Kutch region and are used for various purposes. The breed is not wild; it has been integrated into local pastoral and agricultural systems. Only statements 1 and 2 correctly describe the unique characteristics of this camel breed.

Kharai camels are semi-aquatic camels of Kutch, specialized for coastal saline habitats—domesticated but with remarkable swimming and mangrove-grazing adaptations.

Question details

Year

2016

Paper

GS Paper 1

Question

Q44

Subject

Environment

Sub-topic

Wildlife and Biodiversity

Type

Statement-based

Difficulty

Medium

Nature

Static

Source hint

Wildlife and Biodiversity - India

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