Our founders, Hanwant Singh Rathore and Dr. Ilse Köhler-Rollefson have been working for and with the Raika since more than a quarter of a century and decided to set up Camel Charisma when they realised that the traditional source of income – sale of male work animals – no longer provided a viable livelihood option and that they had to go beyond NGO advocacy for effective animal health services, and grazing rights.
Hanwant Singh Rathore
Native of Rajasthan, is a dedicated advocate for the Raika camel breeders and a lifelong supporter of Rajasthan’s pastoralist communities. With a profound understanding of the cultural and economic significance of camels, he has worked tirelessly to preserve the camel herding traditions that have sustained communities in the desert for centuries.
His leadership and vision have helped elevate the status of camel milk as a superfood and promoted ethical camel products, all while ensuring that the Raika and other pastoralists receive fair recognition and economic support.
Dr. Ilse Köhler-Rollefson
Originally from Germany, is a distinguished veterinarian and founder of the League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development (LPP). With over 30 years dedicated to camel pastoralism, she has become a leading figure in advocating for camel herders and the preservation of their traditional practices. Dr. Köhler-Rollefson co-founded India’s first dedicated camel dairy and the social enterprise Camel Charisma, which promotes cruelty-free and natural camel products.
Her extensive consultancy work includes collaborations with prestigious organizations such as the World Bank, FAO, and UNDP. Her contributions to camel conservation have been recognized by the Presidents of both India and Germany.
She is the author of Camel Karma: Twenty Years Among India’s Camel Nomads and her latest book, Hoofprints on the Land: How Traditional Herding and Grazing Can Restore the Soil and Bring Animal Agriculture Back in Balance with the Earth, which was released in January 2023. Dr. Köhler-Rollefson also serves on the FAO Steering Committee for the International Year of Camelids 2024.