Importance of Conservation of Indian Breeds of Livestock
Dr. Upasana Chandrakar ,
Dr.Mukesh Sharma
Dr. Kranti Sharma and Vandana Bhagat
Dau Shri Vasudev Chandrakar Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya , Anjora, Durg ( C.G)
Introduction
As per 19th Livestock Census, India has 190.9 million cattle, which is a major livestock species; represent about 37.3% of total Indian livestock population and 14.7% of total world’s cattle population. There are so far 43 registered native cattle breeds in India broadly classified into dairy, draft and dual purpose breed depending upon their utility either in dairying or in agriculture work. The different indigenous breeds of farm animals have adapted to the harsh climatic conditions with low management inputs in terms of feeds, fodder and health care, capable to convert low quality feeds and fodder more efficiently into animal products and better adapted to withstand tropical diseases. They are integral part of agriculture. These breeds are now subject to fast genetic degradation and dilution because of unplanned breeding and introduction of exotic germplasm through cross breeding. As a consequence some indigenous breeds are becoming endangered and there is depletion of good native germplasm which was having unique quality of disease resistance and heat tolerance. The dilution of a breed is in terms of purity of breed. It is a decline in the availability of pure bred animals conforming to the model attributes of the breed and is very common in developing nations. Conservation of genetic diversity is essential to the long term survival of any species, particularly in the light of changing environmental conditions.
The indiscriminate crossbreeding between exotic breeds and indigenous animals has been adjudged as major cause for the losses, as well as the risk to existing breeds. It is believed that continuous import of highly productive animals from developed countries is the most significant threat to domestic animal diversity in the developing world. Therefore, conservation of indigenous animal resources has been projected as a suitable method for slowing down the loss in livestock breed diversity through extinction.
Animals which belong to descript (identified)/ non-descript (non-identified) breeds of indigenous origin are considered as indigenous animals. The breeds which were found in maximum number of states included Sahiwal , Gir , Hariana , Red Sindhi and Tharparkar. The presence of large population of milch and dual purpose breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Hariana and Kankrej in many of the states revealed their importance for milk production.
Unique Characteristics of Indian Cattle Breeds
The indigenous breeds of cattle posses various unique characteristics, which makes them well adapted to the tropical climate. The negative impact of environmental heat stress on milk production, fertility, feed intake and growth rate of dairy animals is well known.
The efforts have been made to improve the productivity of the indigenous cattle breeds to meet the country’s milk demand by introducing exotic germplasm of superior genetic merit through cross breeding that has resulted in serious erosion for indigenous breeds. Indiscriminate use of this technology has given some negative impacts over the time.https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/summer-stress-management-in-livestock/
Conservation of Indian Breeds of Livestock
The efforts for conservation of animal genetic resources in India were started with the establishment of National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) Karnal in 1984 under the ICAR. The ICAR-NBAGR, Karnal has developed in situ models of conservation through providing technical inputs and incentives to the farmers/ breeders in the breeding tract of respective breed. In situ models were developed for the conservation of Tharparkar and Krishna valley breeds. Bulls of 3 cattle breeds have been selected and trained for semen donation under Ex situ conservation and more than 10000 semen doses from 3 breeds has been conserved. National Animal Gene Bank has been established at NBAGR, Karnal, with the objective of maintaining the indigenous livestock biodiversity of the country. Animal Genomic resources bank has collection of genomic DNA from 130 breeds/ population of livestock and poultry. There is urgent need to consider region and breed specific breeding strategies and programmes to conserve the indigenous breeds. The indigenous cattle breeds should be improved by selective breeding in their native tract. The states having large population of crossbreds, further crossbreeding of local cattle needs to be stopped. Most of the indigenous non-descript low producing cattle are primarily characterized by low input production system across the country, which are deficient in quality feed and fodder resources, basic infrastructure and market facilities etc. Under this production system the non descript cattle can be improved genetically by grading up with bulls of high genetic merit of indigenous cattle such as Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi, Rathi, Kankrej etc.
Genetic Improvement Programmes
For strengthening the dairy sector, the Government of India has started various central sector schemes like National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (NPBBDD), National Dairy Plan and Dairy Entrepreneurship Scheme. NPBBDD was launched by merger of four existing schemes including Intensive Dairy Development Pogramme (IDDP) and will have two components namely National Programme for Bovine Breeding (NPBB) and National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). The NPBB dedicated for genetic improvement and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds. A total of 33 cattle and 7 buffalo breeds are proposed to be covered under the programme. Similarly 6 cattle breeds– Gir, Kankrej, Rathi, Tharparkar, Sahiwal and Hariana have been covered under National Dairy Plan-1 for implementation of progeny testing and pedigree selection .
National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre for development and conservation of indigenous cattle (43 breeds) and buffalo (13 breeds) being setup with the objective to conserve and preserve indigenous bovine breeds; and to protect threatened bovine breeds from extinction. The core activities include establishment of nucleus herd of indigenous bovine breeds, establishment of semen station and embryo transfer laboratories along with peripheral activities like providing AI and Veterinary facility, fodder production and silage.
National Gokul Mission has been sanctioned in XII plan with an outlay of Rs. 500 Crore with the aim to conserve and develop indigenous breeds in a scientific and focused manner . The objectives of the scheme are to undertake breed improvement program for indigenous cattle breeds so as to improve the genetic makeup and increase the stock; to enhance milk production and productivity of indigenous bovines; to upgrade non-descript cattle using elite indigenous cattle breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Kankrej and Red Sindhi to distribute disease free bulls of indigenous breeds having high genetic merit for natural service. It is also proposed to establish integrated indigenous cattle centers or Gokul Grams in the breeding tract of indigenous breeds. Fifty Bull Mother Farms having requisite infrastructure for management of animals will be identified in the breeding tract of a particular indigenous breed to provide bulls for natural service.
All India Coordinated Research Project on Cattle, Project Directorate on Cattle (now, ICAR- Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut) has taken up a genetic improvement programme of important cattle breeds in collaboration with various SAUs/ SVUs, State government and NGOs. The objective of the project is to improve the overall performance of the breed through the progeny testing and production of future young male calves using semen of proven bulls for elite mating.
Strategies for Conservation
Three major strategies are normally followed for conservation of farm animal breeds. The first two i.e. in situ conservation as well as ex situ in vivo involves conservation of living population. The third ex situ in vitro (cryopreservation) encompasses conservation of living embryo, ova, semen, somatic cell or other animal tissue, DNA etc. stored cryogenically. In situ conservation of breeds is the most preferred method of conservation, by involving livestock keepers in the production system. One of the most useful aspects of cryopreservation is its supportive role in genetic up-gradation of breeds. Realizing that no clear-cut guidelines are available within present system of management of indigenous breeds in India, the strategy should be to combine genetic improvement and conservation.
CONCLUSION
Although indigenous cattle breeds are best suited to their production system, the financial worth, as a whole, of these native breeds and population is not assessed properly. A National watch list should be prepared for indigenous cattle breeds at risk and those requiring conservation they should be conserved in native habitats by adopting participatory approach by involving breeders, communities, gaushalas, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders in conservation programs. Further, increasing productivity through selective breeding or upgrading would help in averting the declining trends of population of indigenous cattle breeds and their sustainable utility.
