Maldhari Association from Saurashtra in Gujarat organises event to sensitize people and initiate dialogues on Pastoral productions

Sharat K Verma/Solution World Bureau

Rajkot, March 25: To create awareness about threatened livestock breeds of Saurashtra like Halari donkeys, Kahmi goats etc, the Maldhari Association from five districts of Saurashtra region in Gujarat organized a 3-day breed competition to sensitize people and initiate dialogues on Pastoral productions and other pastoral issues like Breed conservation.

Halari Donkey, a livestock breed of Saurashtra which has gained world-wide recognition for its value of milk and has also garnered attention from the National Research Center Equines- ICAR after the breed was categorized as threatened. A recent population survey has revealed that there are only 632 donkeys remaining in its native track i.e., Saurashtra. Not only Halari Donkey, Kahmi goat native to Saurashtra is also declining at a rapid rate. The goat breed which was known to be resilient to the harsh climatic condition of Saurashtra is now being mixed with the Sirohi breed, which has led to deterioration in the gene pool.

The three-day event which was being organized by Maldhari Sangathan of Saurashtra, an informal group of nomadic pastoralists from five districts of Saurashtra: Jamnagar, Junagarh, Rajkot, Surendranagar and Dwarika with help of Bhuj based NGO- Sahjeevan along with close association of Department of Animal Husbandry, Gandhinagar. This competition not only aimed to select the best amongst the livestock of the Maldharis but was organised to ponder on the need to develop a sense of collectiveness amongst the Maldharis to expand their livelihood options by conserving the existing breed.

The breed competition at local levels was organised to raise awareness amongst the breeders and other communities to necessitate discussions around pastoralism and backing up Maldharis on their endeavour for a sustainable ecosystem and livelihood. Apart from this issues on shrinking of grazing land, scope of FRA in Saurashtra and market linkages for donkey and goat milk was discussed by the Maldharis.

This event was organized in Bhojabedi village, Jamnagar district, Kolki, Rajkot district and at Sayla, Surendranagar district more than 350 Maldharis participated with their livestock: Bhagri Goat, Kahmi goat and Halari Donkeys from the district of Rajkot, Dwarka, Jamnagar and Junagarh while breeds like Panchali Sheep, Gohilwadi goats and Zalawadi goats contested from Surendranagar their native track. Local leaders, community representatives and dignitaries from dairies also extended support to the Maldhari livestock winners. In order to initiate dialogues around breed conservation and on pastoral production systems one such event is scheduled to be organized at National level on March 27, 2021 (Saturday).