Biodiversity is a valuable asset for every country. It is widely recognized that preservation of biodiversity is a matter of insurance and investment necessary to sustain and improve agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, fisheries and honey production and to keep open future options as a buffer against harmful environmental change and as a raw material for scientific and industrial innovation and a matter of moral principle (Anonymous, 1981).
According to the Annual Report (1997) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, India’s immense biological diversity is estimated to be over 45,000 plant species and 81,000 animal species, representing about 7% of world’s flora and 6.5% of world fauna, respectively.
Biodiversity is providing the basis for life on earth, which includes the variability of animals, plants, microbes, soil, water, air, climate, etc. It includes inter alia, lower plants (including bacteria, viruses and mycoplasma like organisms), higher plants (herbs, shrubs and trees), animal breeds including fish, birds and invertebrates. Based on natural resource categories, it is further classified into forests, crop-lands, rangelands and aquatic environment. All these flora and fauna are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture, feed for domestic animals and also for the provision of essential raw materials and services for life support such as fibre, fuel, fertilizer and pharmaceuticals. Hence biodiversity makes ecosystem stable, functional and environmentally sustainable.
The very biodiversity that nurtured human cultural diversity since times immemorial now stands threatened. In fact, the present era is often described as an era of species extinction. The rate of species loss is as fast today as it was at the time of extinction of dinosaurs some 6.5 crore years ago. Nearly 15 per cent of Earth’s species will be threatened over the next 25 years, if we neglect them.
Life on Earth began in some very simple form more than 300 crore years ago. In the course of adapting to the varied environment on Earth, these first unicellular organisms have become complex, resulting in the rich variety of life as we presently know it.
Every animal on Earth belong to a place where it is born, where it finds its food, where it joins with its mate, gives birth to its young, and where it dies and becomes food for other living things. The place where an organism is able to do all this, defined by the prevailing climate, availability of water, nature of soil and rock, is its habitat. Theory of evolution thus tells us that organisms evolve to fit into their natural environment.
Cattle Diversity
The animal genetic resources make a large contribution to food and agriculture production, but this resource is now being threatened. Important diversity is being lost, thereby reducing the options for achieving sustainable agriculture and food security. Animals are intricate part of agro-eco-systems, providing food, energy, manure and fuel. They provide 60% of draught power for the rural communities and can provide a critical safety net for farmers and communities when crop fails.
There is already less genetic variation in farm animals as compared to the plant species. Further erosion of animal diversity may invite disaster for long term productivity and loss of sustainability. Therefore, genetic improvement in farm animals adapted to different stress conditions like, food, fodder and climate must be based on the utilization of locally adapted genetic resources.
Proximate process affecting domesticated biodiversity:
Causes:
· Lack of awareness
· Economic benefits
· Overall policy of breed improvement
· Shrinkage of grazing land
· Over population of livestock-high density
· To improve yield and economic benefits
· Replacement of local non-descript breeds to productive cattle
· Over mechanization of agriculture & transport
Process
· Inadequate attention on identification of germplasm and performance recording
· Indiscriminate cross breeding with exotics for other purposes
· Commercialization
Effects:
· Stagnation and even deterioration of production performance of indigenous breeds
· Loss of indigenous genetic resources
· Forest denudati
· Disappearance of native varieties and breeds
· Threat to native draught breeds
· Loss of indigenous biodiversity
· Shrinkage and even disappearance of grass-lands lead to loss of biodiversity
· Grassland ecosystem is disturbed
· Degradation of forest land and erosion of soil and water
Cattle Conservation Activities
The conservation of domestic cattle biodiversity is a complex and multi-dimensional activity in which number of agencies can play significant role. Different measures of conservation should be implemented through national and state-level strategies, plans and programme developed, keeping in view the social and cultural diversity, ecology, farming practices, present level use, sustainability and economic use. Thus all ;these issues should be carefully harmonized. The cow-biodiversity sector of the country is to be conserved and a national and state-level implementation of breeding policy of the country as well as the State may be drawn as early as possible. Selective breeding in their home tract of pure indigenous draught breeds must be undertaken and preserved very carefully and sincerely. Upgradation of local non-descript cattle by known indigenous breeds like, Hariana, Gir, Tharparkar, Sahiwal, etc. in selected pockets be started.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research Institutes and State Agricultural Universities should be asked to start immediately selection of local breeds and keep minimum 1000 adult cows and males of each breed available in their jurisdiction for breeding and draught purposes in each farm. The existing good Goshalas, Panjrapoles, Private and Institutional Cattle Farms should be registered and promoted with incentives to build up best selected cows of different pure breeds of the region as National Demonstrative Cattle Breeding Farms. Ex-situ conservation of Cattle Genetic Resources should be set up through establishing cow or cattle germ plasm repository or gene banks at different locations by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resource s of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
All life, plant or animal, must be consecrated and bestowed with protection by human-being and that is our goal, meaning thereby that none should be victims of slaughter or cut. Reverence for life, love and respect ought to be ingrained in our very existence. Cow protection signifies reverence and protection for all mute life, i.e. in the present day parlance, “total preservation of the Biosphere and Ecology”.
DEVELOPMENT OF INDIGENOUS COW BREEDS
Introduction:
Economy in India is predominantly agricultural with more than 70% of its population is dependent on income from agriculture and allied activities. Next to crop production, Animal Husbandry is the most important activity in rural India. Some 70 million rural house-hold own livestock of one species or the other – 60 million among them own cattle and or buffaloes. Almost two-third of these families owning livestock are the most resource poor- small and marginal farmers and landless agricultural labourers. Income from livestock amounts for 30 to 50% of the rural house-hold income, with vide variations between regions and house holds. An extensive nation wide study carried out by the NCAER in 1990 found that revenue from milk sale alone amounted for 33% of the family income (National average). Over 80% of the main agricultural work force of 185 million were involved with livestock production either as a producer or hired labour. While total rural employment has grown at the annual rate of 1.75% and in all agriculture at 1.1%, employment in livestock sector has risen at much higher rate at 4.5%.
India stands first with respect to the bovine population having 1/5th of the world bovine population. In spite of India’s position as highest producer of milk, productivity per animal is very poor. It is only 987 Kgs/lactation as against 2038 Kgs/lactation as the world average. This reflects the low productivity of our animals. This is mainly due to poor plane of nutrition as well as low genetic potential for milk production and health care. Feed and fodder constitutes most important input in livestock farming. That the genetic potential of milk animals are not optimally expressed has been proven through nutritional studies that milk production can be increased by 20 to 30% by improved feeding alone.
In 1992 country had 204.58 million cattle and 84.21 million buffaloes, giving almost 1.75 cattle and buffalo unit per hectare of available land. There is acute shortage of nutrients for our livestock and presently gap is about 40 to 50%.
Trends in cattle population:
Cattle rearing in India has been a tradition and intimately linked to agricultural economy. India with 204.58 million cattle, had 15.97% of the world cattle population. Between 1987 and 1992 cattle population grows at an annual growth rate of 0.48%. Out of the 204.58 million cattle, 15.21 million were crossbreed cattle, which is 7.43% of the total cattle population. Between 1987 and 1992, crossbred grows at the rate of 5.92%. During 1992, 57.79 million is the milch cattle population and contributing 26.57 million tonnes of milk i.e. 41.64% of the total milk production in the country.
The changes within the cattle population over the last two decades indicate a radical shift in the priority of the farming community from production of work animals to milk production. The proportion of the female in the population increased steadily with 1972 as turning point. Between 1972 and 82, the number of working male in cattle population declined sharply (by 12 million) and among females the proportion of adult females increased (63% in desi and 61% in crossbred) gradually. However the the proportion of desi cows steadily declined and a marked phenomenal growth in the number of crossbred. Total crossbred number grew from 8.80 million in 1982 to 11.59 million in 87 (31.70%), and 15.21 million (31.32%) in 1992.
In the northern region desi cow population has declined substantially and the region now accounts for 40% of all crossbreds in the country. The South has the second largest population of crossbred cattle –34% followed by west – some 15% of the crossbred. Eastern region has the highest proportion of desi cows and lowest percent of cross breds (11%). Among the States, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala and Punjab have the largest number of crossbred cattle and together they account for nearly 65% (9.50 million) of all the cross bred cattle population in the country in 1992. (Table 1)
Table 1: Cattle population trend in India ( Million No)
Species/category
1987
1992
Annual Growth rate
Total cattle
199.69
204.58
0.48%
Indeginous cattle
188.28 (94.29%)
189.37 (92.57%)
0.12%
Breedable female cattle
60.93 (30.51%)
62.68 (30.64%)
0.57%
Milch cattle
55.91 (27.99%)
57.79 (28.25%)
0.62%
Cross bred cattle
11.59 (5.80%)
15.21(7.43%)
6.2%
Source: Basic Animal Husbandry Satistics Ministry of Agriculture DAH&D
Cattle genetic resources:
The cattle genetic resources of India are represented by 30 well recognized breeds. Most of the cattle breeds are suited for draught power but produce little milk. Indigenous animals are sturdy, are endowed with quality of heat tolerance, resistance to diseases and ability to thrive under extreme nutritional stress. These breeds are classified into three categories – milch breeds, like Shaiwal, Red Sindhi and Gir which calves between 40 to 50 months and produce 1000 to 2000 lts in a lactation and have a calving interval of 15 to 18 months, duel purpose breeds like Tharparkar, Hariana, Kankrej. Rathi, Ongole, Deoni, Gaolao, which first calve between 45 to 55 months, produce between 600 to 1500 lts of milk and have a calving interval between 15 to 20 months, draft breeds like Kangayam, Hallikar and Khillari. The remaining 80% of the cattle are non descript which first calve at an age of 60 months, and produce about 500 Kgs in a lactation and have a calving interval between 20 to 24 months (Table-2).
Table 2:Produtivity performance of some Indian cattle
Breed
Age at first calving
(month)
First calving interval(days)
First service period (days)
First lactation milk yield
First lactation length
Hariana
51
(41-49)
497
(434-523)
214
(136-303)
916
(730-1170)
267
(257-315)
Sahiwal
41
(38-48)
473
(418-473)
177
(136-189)
1907
(1597-2125)
314
(228-330)
Tharparkar
43
(39-53)
447
(418-474)
160
(130-183)
1877
(1326-2139)
300
(268-317)
Red Sindhi
44
(39-49)
496
(436-562)
154
(152-158)
1476
(1312-1694)
305
(284-354)
Gir
53
(44-61)
511
(456-541)
176
(135-259)
1498
(1125-1859)
293
(230-394)
Ongole
39
(36-42)
553
(529-637)
226
(210-241)
826
(658-999)
279
-
Deoni
51
(47-55)
466
(456-472)
184
(173-192)
943
(818-1041)
293
(282-302)
Figure in parenthesis gives range of trait
Some of these breeds have enormous potential to become high producing commercial milch animals, and there is a need for the development of these breeds. Pre-requisite for the development of a breed are large enough population size, a wide selection differential for economic traits.
The indigenous dairy breeds of cattle with potential for development as commercially viable milch animals in a comparatively few generation are: Sahiwal in Punjab, Rathi and Tharparkar in Rajasthan and Gir and Kankrej in Gujarat. If these breeds are selectively mated with genetically selected bulls (through siblei and progeny testing) individuals of these breeds would be commercially viable in just one generation and the breeds as a whole in few generations.
Problems and constraints in Cattle Production:
Cattle which is the major constituent of our livestock population is facing newer challenges which are needed to be addressed promptly and adequately to bring in rapid improvement in cattle population.
Large cattle population and its low productivity per animal demanding stabilization of cow population.
Limitations of feed resources both in terms of qualitative and quantitative terms.
Lack of availability of vaccines and diagnostics in required quantity at affordable prices.
Lack in creation of disease free zones.
Prevalence of communicable diseases.
Lack of technology for proper utilization of cow waste specially cow dung and Urine which has important medicinal values.
Lacking policy for conservation of dwindling indigenous cattle breeds.
Lack of farmers organizations and breeders societies in the country.
Absence of effective extension network.
Breeding policy:
Animal husbandry programmes have been run through the State schemes. Each State has to evolve its own breeding policy deciding on choice of breed, cross breeding strategy, optional mixture of animals of different breeds required, breeding goals in terms of expected genetic progress to be achieved, specific breeding programmes and the control measures that should be adopted to achieve the desired genetic gains in the population.
General parameters in the breeding policy formulated by various States are:
Indigenous milch breeds such as Shaiwal, Red Sindhi and Gir, should be selectively developed for dairy traits in their native tracts.
Indigenous dual purpose breeds such as Hariana, Tharparkar, Rathi, Kankrej, Gaolao, Ongole Deoni etc. should be developed selectively in their native tracts for dairy and draft traits.
Indigenous draft breeds like Kangayam, Hallikar, Khillari, Amrit Mahal etc. should be developed selectively for draft traits in their native tract.
Non-descript cattle will be bred with exotic semen to produce cross breed with Holstein Friesian or jersey and maintaing 50% exotic impenitence. In some States Red Sindhi, Tharparkar and Hariana have also been used upgrading non-descript cattle.
Cattle breeding policy in different States is given in the Annexure I.
Development of indigenous breeds:
To develop indigenous breeds Government of India has initiated three schemes namely National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding, Central Herd registration scheme, Central Cattle Breeding Farms.
National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding:
Genetic improvement is a long term activity and Government of India has initiated a major programme from October 2000 “National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding”(NPCBB) over a period of ten years, in two phases each of five years, with an allocation of Rs 402 crore for the 1stphase. National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding envisages genetic up gradation on priority basis and also had focus on the development of indigenous breeds.
The National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding envisages 100 per cent grant in aid to implementing agencies and has the major objectives of (a) to arrange delivery of vastly improved artificial insemination service at the farmers doorstep; (b) to progressively bring under organized breeding through artificial insemination or natural service by high quality bulls, all breedable females among cattle and buffalo within a period of 10 years; (c) to undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds so as to improve their genetic qualities as well as their availability and (d) to provide quality breeding inputs in breeding tracts of important indigenous breeds so as to prevent the breeds from deterioration and extinction.
The project components specially designed to address the existing inadequacies will focus on the hitherto neglected natural meting system as well as the A.I. network with particular attention to (a) streamlining storage and supply of Liquid Nitrogen by sourcing supply from industrial gas manufacturers and setting up bulk transport and storage systems for the same, (b) introduction of quality bulls with high genetic merit, (c) promotion of private mobile A.I. service for doorstep deliver of A.I., (d) conversion of existing stationery government centres into mobiles centres, (e) quality control of bulls and services at sperm stations, semen banks and training institutions, (f) study of breeding systems in areas out of reach of A.I. and (g) institutional restructuring by way of entrusting the job of managing production and supply of genetic inputs as well as Liquid Nitrogen to a specialized autonomous and professional State Implementing Agency. At the Central Government level a Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) with a core group of professional staff implements the Project. There is broad based Steering Committee for the project to provide guidance to the CPMU.
At present Following 15 States are participating under the project and following funds has been released to these States for implementation of the project:
NPCBB has been included in the Tenth Five Year Plan with a tentative allocation of Rs 400 crore. Provision in BE (2002-2003) is Rs50.00 crore.
Table 3: State wise funds released under NPCBB
Rs in lakh
S.No
State/UT
2000-2001
2001-2002
Total
released
Amount release specifically for indigenous breed development
Indigenous Breed development
1.
Andhra Pradesh
339
741.75
1080.75
75.00
Ongole
2.
Arunachal Pradesh
140
0
140
-
3.
Chattisgarh
0
274
274
-
4.
Haryana
523
323
846
20.00
Hariana
5.
Kerala
0
209.75
209.75
25.00
Vechur
6.
Madhya Pradesh
0
829.47
829.47
25.00
Malvi, Nimari, Kenkatha
7.
Manipur
67.75
0
67.75
-
8.
Mizoram
0
18.93
18.93
-
9.
Nagaland
0
97.3
97.3
-
10.
Orrisa
0
40
40
-
11.
Punjab
501
0
501
-
12.
Rajasthan
0
559.3
559.3
25.00
Rathi, Gir, Tharparkar
13.
Sikkim
0
168.93
168.93
Siri
14.
Uttranchal
0
248
248
-
15.
WestBengal
0
677.02
677.02
-
Total
1570.75
4187.45
5758.2
B CENTRAL CATTLE BREEDING FARMS (CCBF)
There are seven Central Cattle Breeding Farms (CCBFs) located at Alamadhi(Tamil Nadu), Andeshnagar (U.P), Chiplima and Semiliguda (Orissa), Dhamrod (Gujarat), Hesserghatta (Karnataka), and Suratgarh (Rajasthan). They are producing high pedigree bull calves of indigenous and exotic breeds of cattle and important buffalo breeds for distribution to States for use in the cattle and buffalo development programmes. The bull calves are produced from Tharparkar, Red Sindhi, Jersey, Holstein Friesian and Crossbred cattle, Surti and Murrah buffalo breeds. The Farm at Andeshnagar and Chiplima are producing HF x Tharparkar crossbred and Jersey x Red Sindhi crossbred bulls respectively. The bulls and bull calves are for sale and distribution to the State Governments.
The Production of Bull calves (Nos.) is as under during the 9th five year plan period:
Year
Target
Achievement
1997-98
330
346
1998-99
330
321
1999-2000
300
449
2000-01
350
362
2001-02
350
370
Central Herd Registration Scheme:
For identification and location of superior germplasms of cattle and buffaloes, propagation of superior genetic stock, regulating sale and purchase, help in formation of breeders societies and to meet requirement of indigenous bulls in the different parts of the country. Government of India has initiated Central Herd Registration Scheme. Four CHRS units were established in different breeding tracts of the country. For milk recording 103 milk recording centers were set up. Indigenous cattle breeds covered under the scheme are Gir, Kankrej, Hariana and Ongole. During 2001-2002 final registration for 1795 animals were completed. The criteria laid down for registration is given in table-4
Table4: Criteria for registration under CHRS
Breed
Milk yield in Kg’s
Category-I
Category-II
Gir
3500 & above
3000 to 3499
Hariana
2700 & above
2500 to 2999
Kankrej
3000 & above
2700 to 2999
Ongole
2500 & above
2250 to 2499
Conclusion:
Although cross breds are economically viable but the F 2 populations have shown deterioration and decrease in milk yield. To maintain the performance of these cross breds at desired level, large number of progeny tested bulls are required. Indigenous breeds can be made commercially viable within few generations and there is no organized efforts have been made to improve the genetic potential indigenous breeds. Cross breds are more productive as compare to indigenous breeds but their tendency to wilt under Indian conditions of low input and harsh climate, susceptibility to tropical diseases warrants the conservation and development of indigenous breeds. Usefulness of various indigenous breeds has not been fully explored. The non-renewable energy resources are bound to exhaust sooner or later if this happens then we may have to fall back on our animal wealth for providing draught power and hence we can not take risk of letting these breeds go extinct. The domesticated breeds are integral part of our eco-system, culture and heritage. Thus there is imperative need to develop our indigenous breeds for milk production, draught power etc.
Cattle Breeding Policy in different States
S.No
State/UT
Breed
Breeding Policy
1
Anhra Pradesh
Ongole
Selective breeding in Ongole: grading up, non–descript with Ongole
Malvi
Selective breeding Malvi in pockets, grading of Malvi with Tharparkar and Deoni
Hallikar
Selective breeding in Hallikar; grading up of nondescript with Hallikar
Non-descript
Grading up, with Ongole, Tharparkar and Deoni cross breeding with Jersy and Holstein
2
Arunachal Pradesh
Local cattle
Grading up, with Hariana and Redsindhi cross breeding with Jersy
3
Assam
Local cattle
Grading up, with Hariana and Redsindhi; cross breeding with Jersy
4
Bihar
Local cattle
Grading up, with Tharparkar Hariana and Redsindhi; cross breeding with Jersy
5
Chattisgarh
Local cattle
Grading up, with Tharparkar Hariana and Shaiwal; cross breeding with Jersy and Holstein
6
Gujarat
Gir, Kankrej
Selective breeding in Gir and Kankrej; grading up, non–descript with Gir and Kankrej; cross breeding with Jersy and Holstein-Friesian
7
Goa
Local cattle
Grading up, with Redsindhi; cross breeding with Jersy
8
Haryana
Hariana
Selective breeding
Shaiwal
Selective breeding
Non-descripit
grading up, non–descript with Hariana, Shaiwal, Tharparkar; cross breeding with Jersy and Holstein-Friesian.
9
Himachal Pradesh
Local cattle
Grading up, with Hariana and Redsindhi; cross breeding with Jersy
10
Jammu & Kashmir
Local cattle
Grading up, with Hariana and Redsindhi; cross breeding with Jersy
11
Jharkhand
Local cattle
Grading up, with Tharparkar Hariana and Redsindhi; cross breeding with Jersy
12
Karnataka
Deoni
Selective breeding
Krishna Valley
Selective breeding
Khillari
Selective breeding
Amrit Mahal
Selective breeding
Hallikar
Selective breeding
Non-Descript
grading up, non–descript with Redsindhi; cross breeding with Jersy and Holstein-Friesian.
13
Kerala
Local cattle
grading up, non–descript with Redsindhi, Kangayam and Tharparkar; cross breeding with Jersy and Holstein-Friesian.
Crossbreds
Selective breeding with F1 cross bred bulls obtained from progeny tested either jersy or Holstein bulls
14
Madhya Pradesh
Nimari
Selective breeding
Malvi
Selective breeding
Kenkatha
Selective breeding
Non-descript
Grading up, with Gir, Tharparkar, Hariana Shaiwal and Ongole; cross breeding with Jersy and Holstein
S.No
State/UT
Breed
Breeding Policy
15
Maharashtra
Khillari
Selective breeding
Dangi
Selective breeding
Gaolao
Selective breeding
Nimari
Selective breeding
Non-descript
Grading up, with the breeds of the region and Hariana; cross breeding with Jersy and Holstein
16
Manipur
Local cattle
Grading up, with Red sindhi; cross breeding with Jersy
17
Meghalaya
Local cattle
Grading up, with Red sindhi; cross breeding with Jersy
18
Mizoram
Local cattle
Grading up, with Hariana; cross breeding with Jersy
19
Nagaland
Local cattle
Grading up, with Hariana; cross breeding with Jersy
20
Orrisa
Local cattle
Grading up, with Red sindhi and Hariana; cross breeding with Jersy and Holstein
21
Punjab
Local cattle
Grading up, with Shaiwal and Hariana; cross breeding with Holstein Friesian and Jersy
22
Rajasthan
Nagori
Selective breeding
Malvi
Selective breeding
Rathi
Selective breeding
Non-descript
Grading up, with Hariana, Gir, Tharparkar and Rathi; cross breeding with Jersy and Holstein Friesian
23
Sikkim
Siri
Selective breeding
Local cattle
Grading up, with Hariana; cross breeding with Jersy
24
Tamilnadu
Kangayam
Selective breeding
Hallikar
Selective breeding
Umblachery
Selective breeding
Bargur
Selective breeding
Non-descript
Grading up, with Hallikar; cross breeding with Jersy Holstein Friesian
25
Tripura
Local cattle
Grading up, with Tharparkar; cross breeding with Jersy
26
Uttar pradesh
Kenkatha
Selective breeding
Non-descript
Grading up, with Hariana, Shaiwal, Tharparkar and Red sindhi; cross breeding with Jersy and Holstein Friesian
27
COW – AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
Cattle population during the last decade has come down from 20,45,84,000 in 1992 to 17,49,74,000 in 1997. Livestock census report 2002 is yet to be published. But it is presumed to be nearly 15,00,00,000 only.
Throughout the country, the cow is considered auspicious and held in great veneration, for by means of this animal, tillage is carried on, the sustenance of life is rendered possible and the dining table of the inhabitant is filled with milk, butter-milk, butter and ghee. These cows and progenies graze in the forest and pasture lands in the village boundaries and eat different grasses, medicinal herbs, leaves and seeds of bushes and trees and through their dung the seeds of these plants are spread throughout the land and forest. These treated seeds with proper manorial cover germinate as soon as the monsoon set in and grow faster. This way the cows and calves spread and disperse different types of plant species, including medicinal and aromatic plants everywhere. The birds sitting on the body of the cattle eat the ticks and other insects and they also eat the seeds coming through the dung and thus help in spreading the grasses and other bushes in the land.
The milk, butter, butter-milk and ghee produced from these cows grazed in the forest land with numerous species of grasses, herbs, bushes and trees have better nutritive and medicinal values.
As per the paper presented, at the National Seminar on “Role of pure Ghee in Health and Nutrition – exploding myths” on 13-14 June, 2002 held at Anand, by Dr. Prasanna Mathad and Dr. N.A. Murthy, Taranatha Government Ayurvedic Medical College, Anantapur Road, Bellary the quality and quantity of ghee will depend upon the land, feed, fodder, water and environment. They have quoted:
“To improve the quality of milk and milk products, we should feed the cows by giving:
(1) Grasses like, Ikshuvalika, Darbha (Cynodon dactylon), Kusha (Desmostachya bipinnata), Kasha (Saccharum spp), Gundra, Etkat and Katrana mulos
(2) Vegetable and cereal wastes grown on marshy land
(3) Jeevanti (Leptadena reticulata) and Shatavari (Asparagus Racemoces) improve the milk as per research conducted by veterinary scientists of Gujarat”.
In Koutilya’s Arthashastra, he mentions that the green grasses, food grains, oil cakes and water from the ever-green forest or lands are more potent than that of the dry areas. He stresses, the quality and quantity of milk depend upon the land and clime too. On the basis of the “Samanaya Vishesha Siddhanta” the properties which are similar one increase the dhatu of similar characters or properties”.
The factory-style cow-keeping industries, now firmly entrenched in industrial countries have environmental side effects that stretch along production line from growing the vast quantities of feed grain to disposing of the mountains of manure. In developing regions meanwhile most cattle farming continue to be raised as a sideline to crops. Yet complex economic and social forces lead to mismanagement of herds, causing extensive and sometimes irreversible degradation of dry-lands and destruction of forests.
Domesticated animals have played a prominent role in the human economy for thousands of years, providing food, fuel, fertilizer, transport and clothing. During most of this time, their presence was largely beneficial. Indian livestock carry about half of all goods to market and they plough the fields too. But in the last century, the numbers and impacts of livestock have swelled space with human population and affluence. Since mid-century of 2000, human numbers have doubled to 5.4 billion (540 crore) while the number of four legged livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, horses, buffaloes, camels and pigs) has grown from 2.3 billion ( 230 crore) to 4 billion ( 400 crore). The world’s most populous countries, China and India, are also the livestock titans. India is browsed by an estimated 10.70 crore goats, 17.50 crore head of cattle and 7.40 crore of buffaloes. Australia has an average of 10 sheep for every person, for a world leading total of 16.50 crore.
As per the ancient seers of the Vedic period, life is a non-divisible, homogenous wholeness. There is no hierarchy between the different species inhabiting the planet – all are fellow beings of one another and have to share the resources of the planet. All the species have to live together and share life in every sense of the term.
Agriculture is not an industry or a profession ;in our country. It is an expression of reciprocity between the earth, the skies, the sun, the moon, the human, the animal and the plant kingdom. Hence agriculture will have to be supported by cattle raising, individually or collectively. It will have to be supplemented by cottage and village industries with the help of alternative energies and appropriate technologies.
The cow is the supreme animal before us supplying bullocks for tillage and ;for traction, supplying manure for growing of crops, providing energy for cooking and lighting, providing urine for environmental purification, plant protection and treatment to human ailments and supplying milk for the human subsistence.
Our fore-fathers had recognized the importance and usefulness of the cattle and they have developed different breeds of them for dual purpose, i.e. milk and draught purposes, according to the prevailing environment and ecology in different parts of the country. We have thirty recognized breeds of cows (list enclosed) and many dozens of non-descript breeds. They have specific uses and utilities in their own regions.
Approximately 80 per cent of the 17.50 crore cattle population of India belongs to the category of small-framed, light weight and non-descript Zebu breeds (DESI). The remainder consists of clearly defined, predominately local breeds as mentioned above and those consolidated by selection and crossing between these and the indigenous breeds as well as though to a small extent, some high performance imported breeds of Jersey, Holstein Friesian, Brown Swiss, Red-dane, etc. There seems to be no dearth of genetic potential among the local breeds. Thus the development of the Indian breeds of cattle population may be reckoned as guaranteed. Our ancestors were intelligent enough to produce a particular breed for a particular use in a particular region. The main objectives and features were:
· High traction capacity for the transport for which e.g. Haryana and Ongole were bred.
· Speedy traction for ;the artillery carrier for which Khillari and Hallikar breeds were bred, and developed.
· Apart from providing bullock draught labour also milk supply in large army camps and settlements for which Tharparkar, Gir, Red-Sindhi and Kankrej breeds were developed.
· High milk productivity along with draught ability – Gir and Sahiwal breeds were created..
These aims laid a foundation for the future breeding activities in the country and offered guidelines with regard to the overall economic utility of those mentioned above and many other breeds.
Development will have to be based on the massive resource of land, plants and trees, water, air, animal’s and human-power or else we will stray with no success.
