ICAR Registers 16 New Indigenous Livestock and Dog Breeds, Total Count Reaches 262

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has recognised 16 new indigenous livestock and dog breeds, taking the total number of breeds registered in the country to 262. The move is aimed at strengthening the documentation, recognition and conservation of India’s diverse animal genetic resources.

The registrations were recommended at the 14th meeting of the Breed Registration Committee held in New Delhi on August 7 under the chairmanship of Dr Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR.

The newly recognised breeds cover nine species and are spread across 13 states and one Union Territory. The list includes four cattle breeds, one buffalo breed, two goat breeds, four sheep breeds, and one breed each of donkey, horse, pig, yak and dog.

The newly registered cattle breeds are Koppal from Karnataka, Mahakaushali from Madhya Pradesh, Periyar from Kerala and Umarda from Maharashtra. Gomanchali buffalo has been registered from Goa.

Among goats, Battisi has been recognised from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, while Totapuri is from Rajasthan. The newly recognised sheep breeds are Asomi of Assam, Kow Debar of Uttarakhand, Madgyal of Maharashtra and Karnataka, and Seemanchali of Bihar.

The registrations also include the Braj donkey from Uttar Pradesh, Kashmiri horse from Jammu and Kashmir, Nagal pig from Nagaland and Sikkimese yak from Sikkim. Kombai, an indigenous dog breed from Tamil Nadu, has also been included in the latest registrations.

The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR), Karnal, which is the nodal institute responsible for livestock and poultry breed registration in India, will maintain the official records of the newly recognised breeds.

With these additions, the number of breeds registered by ICAR-NBAGR has risen to 262, comprising 258 indigenous and four synthetic breeds. The latest registrations expand the formal recognition of animal populations that have been maintained and developed by livestock keepers and breeders in different agro-climatic regions.

ICAR said the recognition process would contribute to reducing the number of non-descript animal genetic resources and provide a stronger foundation for their conservation and sustainable utilisation.

The newly recognised breeds also underline the close link between India’s animal genetic diversity and local farming and pastoral systems. Many indigenous breeds have evolved in specific geographical and climatic conditions and possess traits suited to local production systems.

The registration process reflects the contribution of livestock keepers, breeders, state animal husbandry departments, universities and research institutions in identifying and documenting these genetic resources.