Community Level Conservation of Community Level Conservation of

Indigenous Animal Breeds in India Indigenous Animal Breeds in India

by LIFE Networkby LIFE Network

P. Vivekanandan,

SEVA, India

Side Event during Interlaken Technical Conference on

Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

3- 7 September 2007

LIFE Network India

• Network of NGOs, pastoralists group /

association and volunteers for strengthening rural livelihoods of pastoralists / livestock keeping

communities through development of indigenous livestock breeds and species.

LIFE Network India Activities

• Organising National Workshop on National

Grazing Strategy, Common Property

Resource Management and Conser vation

of Indigenous Animal Breeds on 5-6 Aug.

2003 at TNAU, Coimbatore.

• Submission of Memorandum to Ministry of

Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Environment and

Forests, party leaders and

Parliamentarians on 5-7 Dec. 2005.

Community Prayer for Restoring

Grazing Rights

Chanted Bajans in 24 Places of our CountryOn 15 November 2005 ;

1250 Pastrolists Participated

• Preparing a draft Pastoral Policy for Planning

Commission during 2005

• Participating in the preparation of draft National Policy

for Farmers with National Farmers Commission during

April 2006. It included pastoralists traditional grazing

rights.

• Participation at 4th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended

Inter-Sessional Working Group on Article 8(J) of CBD

in Granada, Spain on 23-27 Jan. 2006

• Participation in the COP-8 for CBD at Curitiba, Brazil

during 20 – 31 March, 2006

• Appearing before the

Parliamentary Committee

on Tribal Bill (Recognition

of Forest Rights) 2005 on

18 April 2006.

• Indian Pastoralists Forum

Meeting and Grazing

Rights Workshop on

9 – 10 Dec. 2006.

• Due to lobbying work by LIFE Network and other NGOs the Tribal bill has been amended to include pastoralists grazing rights in the forest and renamed as:

The Schedule Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006

• This act recognise and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded

• Asian Level Workshop on Animal Genetic Resources

and Pastoralists Annual Meeting on 24-26 February

2007, at Sadri, Rajasthan

• During this workshop Livestock Keepers Rights

has been presented and final version has been prepared.

Indian Pastoralists

� Raikas in Rajasthan – Camels

� Rabaris in Gujarat – Gir, Kankrej cattle

� Van Gujars in Himalayas – Buffalo

� Gaddis in Shiwalik Hills – Sheep / goat

� Bakkarwals in Jammu & Kashmir –Sheep

� Ladak Pastoralists - Yak

� Dhangar Gowli in Karnataka – cattle

� Konar & Others in Tamil Nadu –

Malaimadu / Pulikulam Cattle

� Todas of Nilgiris – Toda Buffalo

Maintaining Animals –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 take care of Cattle

• Todas – Day-to-day Rituals are Associated with Buffaloes

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

Problems Faced by Pastoralists

• Grazing Permit is Denied in Traditional Grazing Sites due to Joint Forest Management Program / Declaration of Sanctuaries / National Parks

• Original Pasture Land were Converted into Plantations (Eucalyptus, Jatropha)

• Human Rights Violation once the Pastoralists are put Under Custody

• Heavy Penalties Imposed if Cattle Spotted in Traditional Grazing Area – Cattle Pastoralists Pay Rs.5000-10,000 (US $110-225) Annually

• Exclusion of Pastoralists in Forestry Programs

• Bribing is Common. False Cases Booked for Implicating Them in Hunting, Cutting Trees etc

Domestic Animals versus Wild Life

I. Camels Vs.

Kumbhalgar

Reserve Forests

II. Toda Buffalo Vs.

Mudhumalai Wild

Life Sanctuary

III. Malaimadu Cattle

Vs. Srivilliputhur

Squirrel Sanctuary Toda Buffalo

Present Trend of Pastoralism

1. Raika Pastoralists dispose 10,000 camels annually

2. Pulikulam Cattle Owners sell 300 Animals monthly in Srivilliputhur

3. Tigers and Panthers kill 150 – 200 Buffaloes annually in Nilgiris

4. VanGujjaris and Gaddis are harassed

5. Yak Pastoralists in Ladak face competition of Grazing Land due to over population of Wild Animals

Factors threatening Pastoralism & Domestic Animal Biodiversity

• Bilateral Funding Programme

• Role of Govt. Actors and Policy

• Alienation of Pastoralists in Conservation Planning

• Existing Breeding Policy

• Present Education system

Recommendations for Protecting Rights

of Indian Pastoralists

1. Restore Traditional Grazing Rights in Forest/Sanctuary Areas

2. Formalizing Customary Rights

3. Whenever Forests are Closed Alternatives are to be Worked Out by Discussing with Local Pastoralists. Example: Rotational Grazing System

4. Recognition of Pastoralists for the Tradition of In-Situ conservation of Animal Genetic Resources

5. Forest Dependents including Pastoralists as Custodians of Natural Resources / Biodiversity Whenever Conservation Program is Implemented

6. Government/Forest Department Should be Facilitator of Conservation of Project rather than Actual ImplementorRole

Community Conservation of Animal Breeds - Work of

SEVA in India

Tamil Nadu

Umbalacherry Cattle Breed

• Umbalachery Cattle Breed

spread over in

Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur

& Thanjavur Districts of

Tamil Nadu State.

• Estimated population is

20,000

It has four distinct bio-

types viz.

Attukarimadu

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

• 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).

Factors Affecting Cattle Population

• 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)

Steps for Conservation of Breed

• 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 BreedToda 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

96810122002

26509481975

21866121960

16195971930

Buffalo

Population

Toda

PopulationYear

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 community, even after death of Toda individual they believe their connection with buffalo..

The Grass land is Sacred for the

Community. And Grass is Holy

Plant for the Toda people because

it is main food for the 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

Nilgiris

Source : CPR Publication (2002)

5,150 ha0 haEucalyptus

9,775 ha0 haWattle

11,475 ha0 haTea

12,400 ha10,875 haCultivation

4,700 ha29,875 haGrasslands

4,225 ha8,600 haSholas

Current map

( 1992 )

Onchterlony’s map

( 1849 )

Total Area

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

Hill Grazing

(in western ghats)

April – June

Oct - December

Plain land Grazing

(including farmers

field)

July – Sept

Jan - March

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.

•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.

Factors Affecting the Population

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

This Breed is found inKatchakatty, Kutladampattivillage, Vadipatti Block, Madurai District.

Kachakatty Black Sheep Breed

13

24 – 62 Sheep

538

700

3,000

Number of Herds

Herd size

Population (2003)

Population (2001)

Population (1970s)

• The sheep are black in colour. It has vestigiousears (not well developed).

• The male bucks are known for sheep fighting.

• The sheep are taken to Vaguthumalai / SirumalaiHills for grazing

• Reduction in sheep population due to preventing the herders entering traditional grazing areas in Sirumalai hills.

Features of the Kachakatti

Black Sheep

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 horn and females are polled.

• It has short hairs all over the body.

• Adult males weigh up to 50 Kgs. Adult females weigh up to 45 Kgs.

• They survive even on dry grass, shrubs found in the semi arid zone of Thoothukudi District.

Steps taken by SEVA

• Promoted Herders Association in Vembur,

Metalpatti, Melakarandai, Iankarisalkulam

and Mavilipatti villages.

• Drinking water facilities with peoples

participation with the help of CAPART

and Ministry of Environment & Forests :

� Installation of 6 Hand pumps

� Renovation of supply channel of tanks

/ ponds

• Construction of Sheep Shed for 47 members

through Micro-credit Programme in 5 villages

• Regular Animal Health Camps

Conservation of Breeds Needs Conservation of Production System

• Korangadu – is a traditional pastureland farming system in the drylands of Tamil Nadu, South India

• It is a combination of grass, legumes and tree species

• It exists in 500 villages over

50,000 ha. in a contiguous area of 50,000 sq.km.

• The grassland conserves Kangayamcattle, Mayilambadi and Mecherisheep

Grass – Cenchrus sp.

Legume – Phaseolus trilobus

Tree – Acacia leucophloea

Live Fence – Commiphora berryii

Steps Taken by SEVA • Promoted pastureland farmers

/ livestock keepers groups / association in 2 villages

• Documented traditional grassland farming system by surveying 36 villages in Erode and Karur districts

• Organised 2 days workshops during May 2004 and Dec.2005.

• Discussion with State Govt. authorities for including the time tested model in mainstream development

Recommendations to Conserve

Korangadu Pasture Land• Support to farmers for sowing

seeds of Kolukattai grass, planting fodder trees, strengthening live fence and for purchase of sheep

• Existing Watershed Development Programme should include Korangadu pasture land development

• Community bull programmeintroduced with indigenous dairy breeds such as Tharparkar, Sahiwal

• Community drinking water facilities through borewells can be introduced

Challenges in Community Level Conservation of Animal Breeds

• Educated youth are not opting for maintaining

herds

• Lack of orientation on community conservation concept for Forest Department officials

• Non participatory breeding policy

• Limited resources for NGOs

• Boldness for Implementing the new Act ?(The Scheduled Tribes and other Forest Dwellers –

Forest Rights Act 2006).

Thank You !