New Delhi, Dec 28: The Indian Army is planning to introduce both double-humped (Bactrian) and single-humped camels as part of overall measures to check intrusion along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. The development comes in the backdrop of the presence of Chinese troops near the Sikkim-Tibet-Bhutan trijunction despite troop disengagement after the Doklam stand-off.
The Army has brought four dromedaries (single-humped) camels to Ladakh from the National Research Centre on Camel in Bikaner, while double-humped camels are only found in Ladakh’s Nubra Valley. There are around 200 double-humped camels in Nubra valley. The camels will be trained for patrolling and carrying heavy loads of ammunition and other supplies, reports Times of India.
The double-humped camels have the capacity to carry more loads than mules and ponies, traditionally used by the Indian Army. The double-humped camels can also move faster than mules – up to 10km and 15km on flat track within two hours. The Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), a laboratory of the DRDO in Leh, has started research on the load-carrying capacity of the Bactrian camels.
The DIHAR is assessing how double-humped camels can be trained for carrying loads in harsh weather conditions. “The Bactrian camels were inducted at DIHAR in February 2017 for a pilot study on their suitability for border patrolling, load-carrying ability, training, and devise management practices, considering conditions in high altitude,” the DIHAR director was quoted as saying.
India and China were locked in a 73-day-long standoff at Doklam, an area claimed by both Bhutan and China. India had intervened on Bhutan’s behalf as Chinese building activities threatened ‘Chicken’s Neck’– a narrow strip of land connecting Indian mainland to its northeastern states. The Indian Army and the China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had, on August 28, decided to disengage their troops from the disputed area.
Despite the truce agreement, China began construction near the disputed region. It has built several tunnels and barracks near the disputed area in Doklam. A 400-metre tall wall has also been built by Chinese forces to hide the rampant construction going on in Doklam, a Zee News report said in November. To counter China, India too has been ramping up the infrastructure all along the Sino-India border with the Indian Army stepping up road infrastructure.