Heddan Hoddan
Here and there
Pastoral systems house a fascinating array of animal breeds, fascinating because of the animals’ perfect adaptation to the local ecology.
Likewise, pastoralists too have adapted to their animals. Be it their ability to foretell rains and droughts – an instinct they have imbibed from the animals they herd; or the ecological knowledge they have evolved to ensure the health and upkeep of their animals. Their lives, homes, cuisine, clothing and community relationships are all shaped by the animals they keep.
Pastoral Breed map of India
The Semi-arid west, the Himalayas and the Deccan Plateau of India have been hotbeds of pastoral activity for thousands of years. The pastoralists of these lands have bred spectacularly diverse sets of animals, which are a reflection of the local geography, the local climates, and local cultures. This breed map of India presents a glimpse into the world of animal breeds in pastoral ecosystems.
Feel free to click on the animal icons to know more. Watch this space! It will get populated with more breeds in future.
Breeds of Kachchh
Arid Kutch lies at the extreme western edge of India. The weather of Kutch, unkind and uncertain in its ways, never allowed much agriculture. The natives in all their toughness and pride did not give up, they bred animals as hardy as themselves to produce food and fibre. We showcase three such breeds- the Banni Buffalo, the Kankrej Cow, and the Kharai Camel in this section. Fabulously illustrated by the noted Sushama Durve, and followed by films on these animals; we hope you enjoy this riveting ramble into the world of Kutchi Maldhariyat.
Kankrej Cows: The Majestic Cattle of Kachchh
Before India’s independence, the Maharaos of Kachchh had given the responsibility of managing the Kankrej breed of cattle to the Jadeja pastoralists. They maintained special herds called the Raavri. This high quality gene pool was revered and held in awe.
A well evolved system of breed governance ensured that the community both contributed and benefited from the awe inducing gene pool of the Raavri. One ninth of all agricultural produce of the farmers was reserved for the Raavri, ensuring that the herd would not have to migrate during droughts and run the risk of mating with unknown stock; thus they maintained the purity of the gene pool. And after the droughts would end, farmers were entitled to get animals from the Raaveri for their ploughing, draft and milch needs.
These majestic cows, with their crescent shaped large horns, stand tall; they can walk hundreds of kilometres in droughts and yet diseases don’t come easy. A century ago, Brazilians took Kankrej cows from Gujarat and bred a special cow. They call it Guzerat – a breed that produces up to 52 litres of milk in a day!
Kundi Buffalo: The night grazers of the Banni grassland
700 years ago, climate change events in Central Asia forced nomadic pastoralists to head east for greener pastures. Many of them settled in Banni, a grassland that explodes in green opulence during the monsoons.
These communities rear and breed the Banni buffaloes with their deeply coiled horns. It has adapted to the extreme heat by grazing at night, feeding on the rich, nutritious grasses and sedges of the Banni which has made these animals resilient. Bhagiyas, the expert breeders of Banni and bearers of traditional ecological knowledge, keep the gene pool pure- servicing and replenishing the stock of 8 lakh Banni Buffaloes serving the milk market of western India.
Banni buffaloes are expensive if not precious. Average ones sell for two lakhs, the better ones for three lakhs. And the best ones? They are never sold!
Kharai Camels: Swimmers of the seas
The mangroves are considered the most productive ecosystems, next to rainforests. And the deserts produce the least. In Gujarat and parts of Pakistan around Karachi, the deserts adjoin the mangroves; This happens only here, in the entire world.
The camels are creatures designed to survive with little. However, when they saw green abundance across the creeks, they decided to swim! Nature, with some help from the Fakirani Jats, has evolved a unique animal called the Kharai Camel, which has combined the ability to live without fresh water, and browse in the mangroves for sustained periods of time. They themselves are a special community who can live in the mangroves and sleep on machans, deriving all their nourishment only from camel’s milk.
Quiz
Buy a Domestic Milching Animal!
‘Kaala Akshar Bhains Barabar’,
This proverb means: a person who is not literate, is like a buffalo! Well, the Bhains (buffalo) wants to know how literate you are about their world, of animals! For most people in the city, all buffalos look the same, but an expert guala or animal keeper, must supply us milk and has to select the best animal, so they must answer these questions correctly, to do good business.
Let’s see if you can buy a good animal!
Based on your performance in answering these questions, the pastoral will sell you an animal.
Are you ready…then press the animal icon below!!
