Tsewang Rigzin
LEH: Ladakhi cattle the indigenous cow is a unique germplasm having excellent adaptation to high altitude hypobaric and also a source for A2 milk.
This was asserted during an interaction held among members of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal, Haryana and Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh here on Sunday.
Scientists and researchers from ICAR in association with DIHAR and the Animal Husbandry Department carried out a research and the outcome of the research was released in the form of a technical bulletin ‘Ladakhi Cattle: A Unique Animal Genetic Resource Adapted to High Altitute of Leh-Ladakh’ in the aforesaid interaction.
“Crossbreeding with Jersey is leading to dilution/loss of this precious germsplasm developed through years of adaptation and natural selection,” scientists raised concerns while recommending that farmers and stakeholders should be educated to maintain the purity of this population and avoid mixing of local cattle with exotic Jersey cattle.
“Based on the information we received through our research in the last four years, ICAR in association with LAHDC Leh and other stakeholders have decided to register Ladakhi cattle, which is a different breed, in the next four-six months and after having it registered we can look for the improvement of the breed and also come up with some farms for the improvement and promotion of the local cattle,” Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General, Animal Sciences, ICAR, said while assuring full support from ICAR in this regard. We are also planning to study genetic characterization of Ladakhi yaks, donkeys and doubled humped camels, he added. Chairman Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh Dr Sonam Dawa expressed gratitude to the ICAR, NBAGR and DIHAR to come up with the interesting research findings about Ladakhi cow. He assured that LAHDC will also plan strategies for the improvement of the local breed and will avoid crossbreeding of Ladakhi cows with Jersey.
