Ranchi: A Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) team has begun an intensive population survey of unique, unmapped and non-descript domestic animals and poultry across Jharkhand for their registration with the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) and conservation of their germplasm.On Saturday, the BAU team surveyed villages in Ranchi district, including Serenghatu in Sonahatu block and Gowali and Barwadih in Rahe block, as part of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research-funded “Network Project on Animal Genetic Resources”. BAU is one of the nodal centres for the project.Principal investigator Dr Nandini Kumari said Jharkhand has several breeds of cows, poultry and pigs that are broadly described as “desi”. “They are resilient breeds and have survived adverse situations of the state. They are now, however, being cross-bred in order to get more yields. During the process, the original species are fast decreasing. The registration with NBAGR would ensure conservation of the original species,” Kumari said.Kumari said the team has so far identified two such species and initiated surveys and follow-up work for their registration. For registration, each species must exist in prescribed numbers and across a required set of blocks in the state.Team member Dr Narendra Pratap Singh said formal recognition was essential to protect indigenous livestock. “Without formal recognition, we cannot effectively protect and maintain the rich genetic biodiversity that gives Jharkhand’s indigenous livestock their natural resilience,” he said.BAU aims to make Jharkhand a “zero non-descript zone” by ensuring that local animal and poultry populations are scientifically identified, registered and conserved. Team members said the state’s forests, hills and remote habitations offer vast potential for finding more indigenous species that have remained undocumented.Officials said documentation would help researchers study breed traits, support farmers who rear native stock and prevent dilution of hardy local germplasm through indiscriminate cross-breeding aimed only at higher production levels in Jharkhand.
