Community Conservation of Animal Breeds in Tamil Nadu P. Vivekanandan SEVA, Madurai, Tamil Nadu Indian Pastoralists Raikas in Rajasthan – Camels Rabaris in Gujarat – Gir, Kankrej cattle Van Gujars in Himalayas – Buffalo Gaddis in Shiwalik Hills – Sheep / goat Ladak Pastoralists - Yak Dhangar Gowli in Karnataka – cattle Konar & Others in Tamil Nadu – Malaimadu / Pulikulam Cattle Todas of Nilgiris – Toda Buffalo Maintaining Animals – Dharma (A Sacred Duty Prescribed) for Certain Communities • Raikas Caste was Created by Lord Shiva to look after Camels • Yadhavas, Gujjars Descendants of Lord Krishna to care Cattle • Todas – Day-to-day Rituals are Associated with Buffaloes in the life of Toda tribes in Nilgris • Lingayats – Will give one-day rest in a week for animals and animals not milked or engaged in any work on that day How Pastoralists Benefit Society Local Livestock Breeds are Known for : • Disease Resistance • Survive better in Local Environment • Supply Organic Manure thro Penning • Supply Draught Animals • Play Role in Village Festivals / Rituals – e.g. Jallikattu (bull riding) • Suitable for Low Input Management System Breed Statistics •7600 livestock breeds in the world (FAO-2007) • One third are endangered. • One breed is being lost in every month •144 registered breeds in India (NBAGR-2013) They include 37 cattle, 13 buffalo, 23 goat, 39 sheep, 6 horses & ponies, 8 camel, 2 pig, 1 donkey,15 chicken, besides yak, mithun, duck, quail etc. These defined breeds constitute only about 20 to 25% of our farm animal population whereas the remaining farm animal population is yet to be described Umbalacherry Cattle Breed • Umbalachery Cattle Breed spread over in Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur & Thanjavur Districts of Tamil Nadu State. It has four distinct bio- types viz. • Estimated population in Attukarimadu herds 20,000 Ganapathyanmadu Vennamadu Suriyankattumadu Characteristics and Uses • Drought resistant, disease resistant and hardy animals • Bullocks mainly used for Wet land Ploughing and Transport of materials using Bullock cart • Suitable for marshy rice field of Cauvery River delta region • Requires least maintenance and it thrives well with paddy straw • The udder is not well develop in Cows • It yields up to 3 liters of milk per time with lactation period of 6 to 10 months Factors Affecting Cattle Population • Problems in access to drinking water & grazing lands (Cattle ponds existed for the purpose of drinking water are uncared and encroached) • Grazing land earmarked under Revenue promboke has been encroached( about 40 ha.land encroached in Umbalacherry Village). • Tractorisation and maintenance cost of bullocks and high wages pose threat to existence of Umbalacherry Cattle Breed. • Cattle are being sent to slaughter house in an alarming rate (sold for cheap meat). Steps for Conservation of Breed • SEVA Promoted “Umbalacherry Cattle Breeders Association” in Nagapattinam District during 2001 • 234 members from 21 Villages in Nagapattinam District • Desilted 9 ponds for the purpose of providing drinking water for cattle with the assistance of CAPART. • Retrieval of 107 acres of Pasture Land Encroached in Umbalacherry village (not yet officially demarked) • Introduced Participatory Calf Rearing Scheme with the help of Tamil Nadu Livestock Development Agency • Female calves and bulls are supplied to members of Breeders Association and breeders through Micro-credit programme. Toda Buffalo Breed • This breed is found in Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu State. • Maintained in Semi wild condition by Toda tribes • Milk is high in fat content (8.27%) • The estimated Toda Buffalo population is 1,750 A Case of Toda Buffaloes in Mukurthi National Park Toda Buffalo Year Population Population 1930 597 1619 1960 612 2186 1975 948 2650 2002 1012 968 Source : SEVA 2002 Role of Buffaloes in Toda Culture • For Prayer Buffalo presence is important; the milk is sprinkled in divine power entry place; butter oil (Ghee) is used for lighting the Lamp. • Buffalo is given as gift, it is wealth, health of the The Grass land is Sacred for the community, even after death of Toda Community. And Grass is Holy individual they Plant for the Toda people because believe their it is main food for the Buffalo connection with buffalo.. Factors Affecting the Buffalo Population • Shrinking of pasture land / Savannah grazing land (the original pasture land has been reduced due to afforestation programme by Forest Department by planting Eucalyptus and Wattle trees) • Decrease in full time pastoralism among Toda tribals • The Toda buffaloes are being preyed upon by wild animals viz. panthers, tigers and red dogs Status of Vegetation in Status of Vegetation in Nilgiris Nilgiris Total Area Onchterlony’s map Current map ( 1849 ) ( 1992 ) Sholas 8,600 ha 4,225 ha Grasslands 29,875 ha 4,700 ha Cultivation 10,875 ha 12,400 ha Tea 0 ha 11,475 ha Wattle 0 ha 9,775 ha Eucalyptus 0 ha 5,150 ha Source : CPR Publication (2002) Role of SEVA in Conservation of Toda Buffalo • Panchapandavar Buffalo keepers Association promoted during 2002 (Registered). • De-worming training organized for members • Micro credit for building calf shed • Awareness raising on conservation of Toda Buffalo by publishing booklet in Tamil • Forest Department in principle agreed for removal of Eucalyptus, Pine, Wattle and restoring original pasture land based on our lobbying. Malaimadu (Hill Cattle) Breed This breed is found in 20 villages of adjoining Western- ghats spread over Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar Districts, Tamil Nadu State. The present population of Malaimadu breed has been reduced to mere 30,000. Rotational Grazing System Adopted for Malaimadu / Hill Cattle April – June Hill Grazing Oct - December (in western ghats) July – Sept Plain land Grazing Jan - March (including farmers field) Characteristics & Uses • They are short and sturdy and they are resistant to many diseases. • This breed provides good draught bullocks for farmers. The bullocks are useful for ploughing in the wet lands. • A collective of 300 – 400 animals called “Herd” used for penning during night times for providing manure to the field. Factors Affecting the Population •Grazing permit stopped from 1997 onwards (due to Join Forest Management funded with Japanese ODA). •Declaration of Giant Squirrel Sanctuary prohibits Cattle to enter traditional grazing sites. •Heavy penalties / Fines imposed and taking the herders to custody by forest officials intimidated herders to abandon their pastoralists life. Role of SEVA for Conservation of Breed • Promoted district level “Malaimadu” Cattle Herders Association as well as village level groups. • Negotiation with Forest Department for restoring traditional grazing rights through petition to CEC of Supreme Court of India. • State Government issued the special permission for grazing in sanctuary area but this is not acceptable to forest authorities Pulikulam Cattle Breed • Maintained in 148 herds by migratory herders in Sivagangai and Madurai Districts of Tamil Nadu. • Population - 25,000 in • Draught Breed Usefulness of Pulikulam Cattle Breed • Income through penning the Cattle for providing manure to the agricultural lands. ( Herd Size : 250 – 300 heads of cattle used for penning during night time in agricultural lands. Penning charge Rs.1 / cattle / day.) • It reduces 50 % of inorganic fertilizer cost for farmers. • The calves sold for the purpose of draught / ploughing bullocks and for Jallikattu / bull riding. Factors Affecting the Population • Grazing permit not provided by Forest Department in the traditional grazing land due to declaration of Sanctuary / Joint Forest Management area. • Animal drinking water ponds in the breeding tract are not desilted for many years • No herder representation in Village Forest Committee. Steps Taken by SEVA • Village level herders groups / association have been promoted in Manamadurai (Sivagangai district), Manappatti, U. Vadipatti (Madurai district) villages. • Characterisation of the Breed has been completed in collaboration with Madras Veterinary College. • Legal Rights for grazing in forest area are being studied Kachakatty Black Sheep Breed This Breed is found in Katchakatty, Kutladampatti village, Vadipatti Block, Madurai District. Number of Herds 13 Herd size 24 – 62 Sheep Population (2003) 538 Population (2001) 700 Population (1970s) 3,000 Features of the Kachakatti Black Sheep • The sheep are black in colour. It has vestigious ears (not well developed). • The male bucks are known for sheep fighting. • The sheep are taken to Vaguthumalai / Sirumalai Hills for grazing • Reduction in sheep population due to preventing the herders entering traditional grazing areas in Sirumalai hills. Income for Herders • Through penning for providing manure in farmers field (100 sheep / acre / day – Rs.50) • Sale of Male lambs for Sheep fighting (Rs.1000 for 3 Months old lamb ) • Sale of female lambs for farmers (Rs.400 for 3 Months old lamb) Steps taken by SEVA for Conservation of Breed • Regular De-worming • Negotiation with Forest Department for restoring traditional grazing rights • Sheep shed loan provided through Herders Association promoted by SEVA Vembur Sheep Breed • This breed found in 22 villages around Vembur in V. Pudur Block, Ettayapuram Taluka, Thoothukudi District. • The total Population is 5,000 • It is quick growing hardy sheep in dry land zone (black cotton soil). Characteristics • Sheep is identified by black or brick red patches on its coat. • Ears are medium sized and drooping with short and thin tail. • Males having prominent twisted