SRINAGAR: Traders have started bringing camels from Rajasthan to Kashmir ahead of Eid al-Adha, as a section of residents opt for camel sacrifice during the festival.
The animals are being sold in Budgam and several other districts of the Valley ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Bakra-Eid, which is scheduled to be observed on May 27.
Camels, which are not native to Kashmir, are transported from Rajasthan and adjoining regions where camel trade is more common. Temporary roadside sale points have been established in parts of Budgam and other districts, attracting buyers ahead of the annual festival.
Traders said sacrificial sheep in Kashmir are generally priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 30,000 or more, depending on weight, breed and overall condition, while camels are being sold in the range of Rs 60,000 to Rs 75,000.
Under Islamic practice, up to seven individuals can jointly participate in the sacrifice of a camel or cow, whereas a sheep or goat is usually sacrificed on behalf of one person. Traders said the shared financial participation is one of the reasons some residents prefer camels.
Hilal Ahmad, a camel trader from Budgam, said the practice of camel sacrifice has witnessed a gradual increase in recent years. He said a limited number of buyers opt for camels due to shared participation and religious preferences linked to the consumption of camel meat.
Despite the emerging interest in camels, sheep and goats continue to remain the primary animals used for sacrifice across Kashmir during Eid-ul-Adha. Livestock markets across the Valley have witnessed increased activity in recent days as people purchase animals ahead of the festival.
Officials from the Animal Husbandry Department have in previous years advised traders and buyers to follow transport regulations, obtain veterinary health certification and ensure proper care of animals during transportation and sale. Authorities have also emphasised adherence to municipal and animal welfare guidelines during Eid-related slaughter activities.
The sale and slaughter of camels in Jammu and Kashmir have previously come under scrutiny over regulatory provisions and animal welfare concerns, although traders continue to bring a limited number of camels into the Valley every year ahead of Eid-ul-Adha.
