NBAGR recognises 10 new breeds across nine states
In a significant achievement, scientists at the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal, have identified and successfully registered 10 new indigenous livestock breeds. The newly recognised breeds include one each of buffalo, donkey, pig, duck, sheep, yak, and two each of goat and dog.
Newly registered breeds
Manah buffalo (Assam) – Dual-purpose (milk & draught)
Gaddi dog (Himachal Pradesh) – Tribal watchdog
Changkhi dog (Ladakh) – Livestock protector
Ladakhi donkey (Ladakh) – High-altitude transport
Tripureswari duck (Tripura) – Egg & meat production
Chaugarkha goat (Uttarakhand) – Medium-sized, hardy breed
Bundelkhandi goat (UP & MP) – Adapted to extreme conditions
Karkambi pig (Maharashtra) – Meat production
Kheri sheep (Rajasthan) – Long-distance migratory breed
Ladakhi yak (Ladakh) – Multi-purpose livestock
These breeds have been identified across Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Ladakh. With these additions, the total number of registered indigenous livestock breeds in India now stands at 230.
NBAGR, a premier research institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has been responsible for the identification, evaluation, characterisation, conservation, and utilisation of livestock and poultry genetic resources. The institute was authorised for breed registration in 2008, with the first breed being registered in 2010.
Providing details of the newly registered breeds, Dr Rakesh Kumar Pundir, Director, ICAR-NBAGR, said, "Out of the 230 registered indigenous breeds, 54 belong to cattle, 21 buffaloes, 41 goats, 46 sheep, 8 horses and ponies, 9 camels, 15 pigs, four donkeys, five dogs, two yaks, 20 chickens, four ducks, and 1 goose."
The latest registrations include Manah buffalo (Assam) — a dual-purpose buffalo used for both milk and draught work, with a daily milk yield of 1.75 kg; Gaddi dog (Himachal Pradesh) — named after the Gaddi tribe, which has traditionally used this breed for migration and farming assistance; Changkhi dog (Ladakh) — a watchdog that protects livestock such as sheep and goats from snow leopards and other predators; Ladakhi donkey (Ladakh) – The only donkey population found above 3,000 metres. It is used for transportation in regions with low oxygen and freezing temperatures; Tripureswari duck (Tripura) — Rearing purpose includes both egg and meat production, with an annual egg yield of 70 to 101 eggs; Chaugarkha goat (Uttarakhand) — adult males weigh 27 kg, while females weigh 24 kg; Bundelkhandi goat (UP & MP) — medium-sized, black-colored breed that is highly adapted to harsh conditions and capable of covering long distances while grazing; Karkambi pig (Maharashtra) — primarily reared for meat production; Kheri sheep (Rajasthan) — tall with a majestic appearance, it is well-suited for long migrations; Ladakhi yak (Ladakh) — Larger than the Arunachali yak, this breed is used for milk, meat, fiber, manure, draught, and transport.
To ensure further development of these newly recognised breeds, the institute has urged state governments to initiate dedicated improvement programmes.
“We have written to the state governments concerned, requesting them to launch development programmes to enhance these breeds,” said Dr Pundir.
Explaining the registration process, the NBAGR director noted that any citizen can apply for breed registration by submitting a pro forma. The Breed Registration Cell at NBAGR screens applications and, if found suitable, forms an expert committee with one NBAGR member and another from the respective species institute.
The team conducts on-ground verification, and based on their findings, the proposal is submitted to the Breed Registration Committee, chaired by the Deputy Director General (DDG), Animal Sciences, ICAR.
“Once approved, the breed is allocated an accession number, and the gazette notification process begins. The official notification is then issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare,” Dr Pundir said.
