interventions: The Kharai
Kutch is a dryland in the state of Gujarat in western India. The second largest district in India, it was until 1950 a small princely state with its own calendar and new year. It is a very diverse district in terms of culture and religion, and boasts a high degree of religious tolerance and syncretism.The district’s ecology is crucial to the livelihoods it supports. Kutch is described as ‘arid to semi-arid’, but has a wealth of ecosystems within its borders, including seasonal wetlands, thorn forests, grasslands, deserts and a long coast with lush mangrove forests. The ecology has always made life uncertain due to the variable water supplies, and erratic rainfall. In the past decades, Kutch has been increasingly confronted by climate-related uncertainties. Coastal areas, in recent years dotted by jetties built by industries, are the worst hit by the sea-level rise, cyclones, storm surges and erosion partly linked to climate change. These are affecting the livelihoods of coastal communities such as fishers, farmers and pastoralists
The Kharai is a unique breed of camel found only in Kutch, which feeds on mangroves. But salt-making industries operating in the area are threatening its food supply and existence.
Environmental uncertainty in Kutch India
Camels in Kutch face mounting challenges
Save the Kharai camels of Kutch
unsanctioned intervention, New York City, 2022
materials: acrylic paint, acid-free ink,, archival Fabriano paper (26 X 19 inches)
