International Year of Camelids

The United Nations has declared 2024 as the International Year of Camelids.

Objective - It aims to build awareness of the untapped potential of camelids and to call for increased investment in the camelid sector, and the use of innovative practices and technologies.
The decision to declare 2024 as the International Year of Camelids was made back in 2020.

According to the official website of the Food and Agricultural Organization(FAO), camelids influence the lives of millions of households in more than 90 countries.

The report stated that this decision has been made as these animals contribute to food security, nutrition and economic growth for many communities around the globe.

Camelids

Group - As a group Camelids include alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, and vicuñas.
The Camelidae family consists of the Old and New World camelids.
The 3 Old World camelids (OW) are the dromedary, the domestic Bactrian camel, and the wild Bactrian camel.
The lineage of New World camelids (NW) consists of the genus Lama and a separate genus Vicugna.
SDGs - Camelids play an important role in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) envisaged by the United Nations.
Food security - Camelids are a source of milk and meat, which helps people fight hunger.
Uses - They also provide fibre, which can be used for clothing and shelter, used by people as a means of transportation, and provide organic fertilizer, which can be used in agriculture.
Climate change - Moreover, Camelids are known to survive in harsh conditions and thus be ambassadors to raise awareness about climate change.

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.

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