Lok Sabha Question No. 4287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-29
Subject: Protection of Indigenous Breeds of Cows
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Hemant Tukaram Godse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION No. 4287 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th MARCH 2022

## PROTECTION OF INDIGENOUS BREEDS OF COWS

## 4287. SHRI HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपाऱन , पशुपाऱन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there are thirty-seven indigenous breeds of cows in the country at present out of which  five  best  breeds,  i.e.,  Sahiwal,  Gir,  Lal  Sindhi,  Tharparkar  and  Rathi  are  facing extinction and the number of male calves is decreasing steadily;
- (b) the details of average increase in percentage of indigenous cows and calves in the country during each of the last three years, breed-wise;
- (c) whether the Government is considering to establish cowshed in each village for protecting indigenous  cows  and  contemplates  connecting  it  with  the  Government  schemes  like MGNREGS and other schemes formulated by the Government to protect them; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a) As per ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resource, Karnal at present, there are 50 registered indigenous breeds of cattle in the country. The cattle breeds namely Sahiwal, Gir,  Red  Sindhi,  Tharparkar  and  Rathi  are  not  facing  extinction.  Government  of  India  has been implementing Rashtriya Gokul Mission with focus on development and conservation of all indigenous bovine breeds including Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar and Rathi breed of cattle. With mechanisation of agriculture, utility of male bovines has been reduced and due to  this  farmers  are  mostly  rearing  female  calves  among  all  cattle  and  buffalo  breeds  in  the country. However, in order to meet requirement of high genetic merit bulls of these breeds Government of India has been implementing: (i) progeny testing for Sahiwal and Gir breed of cattle; (ii) pedigree selection programme for Rathi and Tharparkar breed of cattle; (iii) IVF technology has been promoted for production of high genetic merit bulls of Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar and Rathi breed of cattle and (iv) Genomic selection has been initiated for selection  of  bulls  of  indigenous  breeds  of  cattle  including  Gir,  Red  Sindhi,  Tharparkar  and Rathi breed of cattle.
- (b) National  level  of  information  regarding  livestock  population  is  collected  every  5 years. The last livestock census was conducted in 2019 and next census is due in 2024. As per 20 th livestock  census  2019,  the  population  of  indigenous  breeds  of  cows  and  calves  in  the country is given at Annexure I.
- (c)  and  (d)  Creating  infrastructure  for  promotion  of  livestock  such  as  cattle  shelter  poultry shelter,  goat  shelter,  piggery  shelter,  and  fodder  trough  for  cattle  is  a  permissible  activity under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA Scheme. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is assisting Animal Welfare Organizations those are recognized by the AWBI for feeding and veterinary care as well as establishment of shelter houses as per their request and availability of funds.

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Population of indigenous breeds of cows and calves in the country as per 20 th Livestock Census 2019

| Sl.No.        | Breed Name     | Total numbers as per 20 th Census 2019   | Total Calves as per 20 th Census 2019   |
|---------------|----------------|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| 1             | Gir            | 68,57,784                                | 1933195                                 |
| 2             | Lakhimi        | 68,29,484                                | 1984678                                 |
| 3             | Sahiwal        | 59,49,674                                | 1836463                                 |
| 4             | Bachaur        | 43,45,940                                | 1081282                                 |
| 5             | Hariana        | 27,57,186                                | 680047                                  |
| 6             | Kankrej        | 22,15,537                                | 507417                                  |
| 7             | Kosali         | 15,56,674                                | 347542                                  |
| 8             | Khillar        | 12,99,196                                | 234018                                  |
| 9             | Rathi          | 11,69,828                                | 314459                                  |
| 10            | Malvi          | 10,32,968                                | 265784                                  |
| 11            | Badri          | 9,89,375                                 | 211157                                  |
| 12            | Hallikar       | 8,19,137                                 | 137803                                  |
| 13            | MalnadGidda    | 7,13,058                                 | 188160                                  |
| 14            | Ongole         | 7,03,142                                 | 159589                                  |
| 15            | Red Sindhi     | 6,12,900                                 | 175456                                  |
| 16            | Tharparkar     | 5,82,257                                 | 157862                                  |
| 17            | Gangatiri      | 5,14,545                                 | 129238                                  |
| 18            | Nimari         | 4,79,061                                 | 100504                                  |
| 19            | Nagori         | 3,47,081                                 | 89492                                   |
| 20            | Amritmahal     | 3,01,354                                 | 54806                                   |
| 21            | Deoni          | 2,84,342                                 | 63827                                   |
| 22            | Motu           | 2,33,637                                 | 48622                                   |
| 23            | Dangi          | 1,91,695                                 | 36092                                   |
| 24            | Gaolao         | 1,86,887                                 | 43031                                   |
| 25            | Kenkatha       | 1,66,267                                 | 42509                                   |
| 26            | Kangayam       | 1,52,543                                 | 40071                                   |
| 27            | Red Kandhari   | 1,49,221                                 | 33191                                   |
| 28            | Binjharpuri    | 83,849                                   | 26240                                   |
| 29            | Bargur         | 55,459                                   | 13804                                   |
| 30            | Kherigarh      | 48,718                                   | 13161                                   |
| 31            | Ghumusari      | 42,390                                   | 9123                                    |
| 32            | Umbla Cherry   | 38,887                                   | 13691                                   |
| 33            | Ponwar         | 28,656                                   | 7613                                    |
| 34            | Khariar        | 25,021                                   | 3558                                    |
| 35            | Siri           | 24,067                                   | 7275                                    |
| 36            | Krishna Valley | 22,532                                   | 4730                                    |
| 37            | Mewati         | 21,901                                   | 6209                                    |
| 38            | Vechur         | 15,181                                   | 5000                                    |
| 39            | Pulikulum      | 13,934                                   | 3682                                    |
| 40            | Punganur       | 13,275                                   | 3644                                    |
| 41            | Belahi         | 5,264                                    | 1238                                    |
| Total Numbers | Total Numbers  | 4,18,79,907                              | 1,10,15,263                             |

As per 20 th Livestock Census