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The United Nations has officially declared 2024 as the International Year of the Camelids. The objective is to make visible that they are "a key subsistence resource for millions of households in more than 90 countries."
Camelids are not only camels, but also include alpacas, bactrians, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas and vicuñas.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), "they contribute to food security, nutrition and economic growth, in addition to having great cultural relevance for many communities around the world."
For this reason, at La Vanguardia Readers' Photos, we wanted to join this campaign to highlight these animals, which are often only known, for example, in Europe, through stereotypical images of tourists on camels.
And "these resilient animals provide transportation, wool, meat and milk, contributing significantly to the economy and nutrition of communities in challenging regions," notes the FAO.
Their adaptability to extreme climates "makes them particularly valuable in the context of climate change, demonstrating their critical role in environmental sustainability."
For all these reasons, during this year 2024, global initiatives will be promoted to highlight the contribution of these animals to biodiversity and resilient food systems.
In this sense, "the adoption of sustainable practices in the breeding and management of these animals will be encouraged, as well as education and research to increase awareness of their ecological and cultural role."
