Rare Cow and Buffalo Breeds at Risk of Extinction in India: Preserving Our Indigenous Heritage

1. Introduction: The Silent Disappearance of India’s Indigenous Breeds

India has long been home to an extraordinary variety of indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds, each adapted to regional climates, topographies, and traditional farming systems. From the rugged hills of Uttarakhand to the wetlands of Assam, these animals have not only provided milk and draught power but have also played critical roles in maintaining rural livelihoods and agricultural biodiversity.

However, modernization, urbanization, and the preference for exotic breeds have pushed many of these native animals to the brink of extinction. In this article, we explore rare Indian cow and buffalo breeds, the challenges they face, their value to farming and culture, and the strategies being implemented to conserve them.

2. Why Indigenous Breeds Matter

Adaptation to Local Environments

Native breeds have evolved to thrive in specific climatic and geographic conditions. They require less feed and veterinary intervention and are more resistant to local diseases and parasites.

Sustainable Farming

These breeds are the backbone of small and marginal farmers. Their ability to survive on low-input systems makes them ideal for eco-friendly, low-cost farming.

Cultural and Economic Significance

Many breeds are part of regional traditions, religious rituals, and festivals. For example, the Hallikar cattle of Karnataka are traditionally associated with bullock cart races.

Genetic Reservoirs

Indigenous breeds carry unique genetic traits that may be vital for future breeding programs, particularly as the impacts of climate change challenge global food production.

3. Rare Cow Breeds at Risk

Vechur (Kerala)

Known as the smallest cattle breed in the world, the Vechur cow is only about 90 cm in height. It is highly disease-resistant, has a gentle temperament, and produces milk with high medicinal value. With modernization and introduction of exotic breeds in Kerala, its population dwindled until revival efforts began in the late 1980s.

Alambadi (Tamil Nadu)

Once common in Tamil Nadu, Alambadi cattle were revered for their strength and endurance as draught animals. Their population dropped significantly due to neglect and crossbreeding. Conservation farms and research centers have been established recently to bring them back.

Kangayam (Tamil Nadu)

Kangayam bulls are known for their compact muscular frame and are ideal for plowing and cart-pulling. While not yet critically endangered, they are vulnerable due to loss of grazing land and lower demand for draught animals in mechanized farming.

Badri (Uttarakhand)

This hardy hill breed thrives in cold climates and is known for A2 milk. The breed has received GI tag recognition, yet its population remains limited, and there is insufficient commercial promotion.

Punganur (Andhra Pradesh)

This dwarf breed is efficient in milk production relative to its size and feed consumption. Due to its limited population and geographical spread, it is listed as endangered and efforts are ongoing to conserve it in select breeding farms.

4. Rare Buffalo Breeds at Risk

Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee)

These are the ancestors of domesticated buffaloes. Once widespread in India, they are now restricted mainly to Assam and Chhattisgarh. Habitat destruction and hybridization with domestic buffaloes have driven their numbers alarmingly low.

Bhadawari (Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh)

Renowned for their high butterfat milk (up to 13%), Bhadawari buffaloes are resilient and efficient. However, unregulated crossbreeding and lack of focused breeding programs have made them rare.

Toda Buffalo (Tamil Nadu)

Found in the Nilgiri Hills, this breed is unique for its semi-wild behavior and high-fat milk. It's deeply connected with the Toda tribe's culture. As modern practices encroach upon traditional systems, the population is dwindling.

Surti (Gujarat)

Compact and docile, Surti buffaloes are good milk producers with a calm temperament. Their numbers have decreased as larger breeds are favored for their higher milk yields.

Jaffrabadi (Gujarat)

Known for their strength and size, Jaffrabadi buffaloes are mainly used in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region. They are among the few breeds that can match Murrah buffaloes in milk yield. Yet, they are regionally concentrated and under threat due to habitat and breeding neglect.

5. What’s Driving These Breeds to Extinction?

Crossbreeding Practices

Government and private programs that promote crossbreeding with exotic breeds like Jersey and Holstein have severely diluted the purity of native breeds. While crossbreeds offer high milk yields, they lack the resilience and low maintenance traits of indigenous breeds.

Lack of Awareness

Farmers often consider indigenous breeds inferior, unaware of their long-term benefits. As a result, traditional breeds are neglected in favor of high-yielding but expensive-to-maintain crossbreeds.

Mechanization of Agriculture

Draught cattle have lost their relevance with the introduction of tractors and modern farming machinery. This directly impacts breeds like Hallikar and Alambadi that were prized for their strength.

Urbanization and Habitat Loss

As grazing lands shrink and village common property resources are taken over for development, many animals no longer have space to roam or graze, affecting semi-feral and traditionally reared breeds.

Policy Gaps

Although there are government schemes for breed conservation, implementation remains weak. Funding, scientific breeding practices, and local participation are often lacking.

6. Conservation Efforts in India

In-situ Conservation

Preserving animals in their native habitats is the most natural form of conservation. Local farms and community-based breeding systems are encouraged in states like Uttarakhand (for Badri cattle) and Kerala (for Vechur cattle).

Ex-situ Conservation

Government and university-run farms are breeding endangered breeds in controlled environments. Semen banks and embryo preservation techniques are being used to maintain genetic diversity.

National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR)

This government body maintains data and genetic records of all indigenous breeds. It also provides recognition and certification for rare and endangered livestock.

Community Involvement

Involving local herders and tribal groups is essential. The Toda tribe, for example, plays a vital role in conserving Toda buffaloes through traditional practices.

State-Sponsored Programs

States like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Kerala have initiated special projects and financial incentives to protect their native breeds.

7. Success Stories and Lessons Learned

Revival of the Vechur Cow

Through focused efforts by Kerala Agricultural University and passionate breeders, the Vechur cow, once thought extinct, has been revived and reintroduced into dairy farms and research centers.

Recognition of Badri Cattle

Uttarakhand’s Badri cattle received a GI tag, boosting efforts to promote the breed commercially and culturally, making it a symbol of hill agriculture sustainability.

Toda Buffalo Protection

Community-led movements and cultural pride among the Toda tribe have helped protect this unique buffalo breed, demonstrating the importance of indigenous knowledge systems.

8. Why Saving These Breeds is a National Priority

Food Security and Climate Resilience

As climate patterns shift, resilient breeds that can survive on less water, tolerate heat, and resist disease will become increasingly valuable.

Biodiversity Preservation

Losing indigenous livestock breeds means losing unique genetic traits forever. This loss reduces the adaptability of future agricultural systems.

Livelihood Protection

Thousands of farmers depend on these breeds for sustenance. Preserving native cattle protects their way of life and local economies.

Medicinal and Cultural Value

Several native breeds produce A2 milk, which is considered healthier. Additionally, many breeds hold religious or cultural importance across Indian communities.

9. Moving Forward: Strategies for Long-Term Preservation

Public Awareness Campaigns

Spreading knowledge about the advantages of native breeds through workshops, media, and grassroots events can change perceptions and demand.

Support for Indigenous Breed Farmers

Subsidies, veterinary support, and incentives for keeping indigenous breeds can encourage farmers to avoid crossbreeding.

Encouraging Indigenous Milk Branding

Marketing A2 milk and native milk products under specific breed labels (like “Vechur Milk” or “Badri Ghee”) can increase demand and profitability.

Collaboration Between Research and Farmers

Agricultural universities and research institutions must work directly with farming communities to improve breeding, feed, and veterinary care for native breeds.

Breed Certification and Protection

Legal protection and GI tags help prevent misuse and promote breed identity in commercial markets.

10. Role of Farmers and Grassroots Movements

Empowering Local Custodians of Native Breeds

The people who have kept indigenous breeds alive for centuries are the rural farmers, pastoralists, and tribal communities. They are the true custodians of genetic diversity, having preserved these animals through traditional knowledge and practices. Empowering them is not just beneficial—it's essential.

Programs that incentivize the maintenance of purebred animals, such as breed-specific milk procurement bonuses, access to veterinary support, and recognition for breeders, can be highly effective. For example, the Malnad Gidda breeders in Karnataka are being organized into cooperatives to collectively preserve the breed and improve its economic viability.

Reviving Traditional Animal Husbandry

Indigenous breeds were historically raised under systems that suited their traits—open grazing, seasonal transhumance, or mixed farming. As farming shifted to intensive models, these animals were pushed aside. Reviving these older husbandry models with modern refinements can create synergy between tradition and science. Silvopasture, rotational grazing, and organic fodder cultivation are just a few techniques that can reintegrate rare breeds into profitable systems.

11. The Importance of Breed Registries and Documentation

Maintaining Accurate Breed Records

Reliable data is the foundation of any conservation effort. Establishing and maintaining breed registries helps prevent crossbreeding and ensures the purity of the breed lineage. Registries also make it easier to track the number of existing animals and assess population trends over time.

Organizations like the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) play a vital role here. By supporting regional breed associations in documenting and registering individual animals, it becomes easier to plan targeted breeding programs and avoid genetic dilution.

Mapping Breed Characteristics and Performance

It's crucial to evaluate each breed based not only on milk yield or body size but also on parameters like feed efficiency, fertility, disease resistance, climate tolerance, and lifespan. These traits often go unrecognized but are vital in long-term sustainable farming.

For instance, the Bargur cattle, found in Tamil Nadu, are not high milk producers but excel in rough terrain and require minimal veterinary care. Recognizing and promoting these unique characteristics allows farmers to make informed breeding and business decisions.

12. Youth Involvement and Education

Educating the Next Generation of Farmers

To keep indigenous breeds from fading into history, it’s important that younger generations are involved. Rural youth often migrate to cities, leaving behind age-old livestock practices. Encouraging their participation through vocational training, breed-specific entrepreneurship opportunities, and hands-on animal husbandry programs can bridge this generational gap.

Agricultural universities can host inter-collegiate livestock fairs, educational drives, and breed exhibitions to kindle curiosity and pride in India’s native livestock heritage. Documentaries, digital learning modules, and social media campaigns can also resonate well with younger audiences.

Inspiring Entrepreneurial Models

Startups are emerging in India that focus solely on milk and value-added products from indigenous cows. Branding “A2 Milk,” “Organic Desi Ghee,” or “Herbal Cow Urine” derived from native breeds has created niche markets. These models can be replicated in rural areas, offering income potential for youth while contributing to breed conservation.

13. Global Attention and India's Responsibility

India is home to one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of domestic livestock breeds. This puts an international responsibility on the nation to conserve and promote these genetic resources. Global conventions like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol stress the importance of preserving animal biodiversity.

Moreover, countries worldwide are facing challenges in climate-resilient farming. India’s indigenous breeds, which have survived millennia of environmental stress, could serve as blueprints for sustainable livestock systems elsewhere.

Exporting indigenous genetics and breed knowledge responsibly can become an avenue for international collaboration and trade, but it must be accompanied by protective measures to prevent exploitation or patenting by foreign entities.

14. The Threat of Genetic Erosion

When a breed's genetic pool becomes too small, inbreeding occurs, weakening immunity and reproduction. This is one of the gravest threats for rare breeds, especially those with populations below 1,000. Once lost, their unique traits are gone forever.

Genetic erosion can occur silently when exotic genes dominate through uncontrolled crossbreeding. For example, in some parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bhadawari buffaloes have been unknowingly crossbred with Murrah, diluting their hallmark high-fat milk production.

To prevent this, conservation efforts must go hand-in-hand with genetic screening, controlled mating programs, and the establishment of nucleus breeding herds.

15. Indigenous Breeds and Organic Farming Synergy

As India pushes towards chemical-free farming, indigenous cattle and buffaloes are proving to be ideal partners. They not only provide milk but also valuable byproducts like dung and urine that are essential in composting, biogas, and organic pest control.

Desi cow dung is known to have higher microbial content and better composting properties compared to crossbred cattle. Panchagavya, an organic mixture made from five cow byproducts, is a powerful biofertilizer and soil enricher and is traditionally made using indigenous cow inputs.

Pairing native livestock with organic farming can create closed-loop systems that are both environmentally sound and economically viable.

16. Recognition through Awards and Fairs

Promoting rare breeds through livestock fairs, competitions, and awards can generate local and national interest. Events like the Pashu Mela in Rajasthan or Cattle Exhibitions in Tamil Nadu bring visibility and appreciation for rare breeds.

Awarding “Best Breed Preserver,” “Highest Quality Indigenous Milk,” or “Longest-Living Draught Animal” helps incentivize farmers to maintain pure breeds. These initiatives also allow for breed comparisons, veterinarian services, and dissemination of breed-specific information.

17. Collaboration Between Stakeholders

Conservation is not a one-man show. It requires the collective effort of:

• Farmers – As frontline caretakers
• Veterinarians – For breed health and disease control
• Policy Makers – To enforce and fund conservation schemes
• NGOs – For field implementation and awareness
• Research Institutions – To improve breed productivity without compromising purity
• Consumers – Whose demand can drive market-based conservation

A multi-stakeholder approach ensures checks, balances, and a sustainable roadmap.

Conclusion

India’s indigenous cow and buffalo breeds are more than genetic resources—they are living legacies of sustainable agriculture, resilience, and cultural heritage. For centuries, these animals have thrived in harsh conditions, requiring minimal input while providing essential support to millions of small-scale farmers. Yet, due to modern breeding trends, declining interest, and habitat pressures, many of these rare breeds are on the verge of extinction.

What makes these breeds so valuable isn't just their milk or strength, but their ability to survive where exotic breeds fail—on minimal feed, under climatic stress, and with natural disease resistance. Their traits are crucial in the age of climate change, where farming systems need to be more adaptive and less resource-intensive.

Conserving these rare breeds isn't a nostalgic exercise—it’s a critical investment in food security, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods. With proper planning, breed-specific promotion, and collective action from farmers, researchers, consumers, and governments, these animals can regain their rightful place in Indian agriculture.

Efforts such as breeding centers, GI tagging, youth education, and native milk branding are already showing results. But the momentum must be expanded, and urgency increased. Losing these breeds would not only be a blow to science and farming—it would erase living traditions and valuable biological strengths.

Saving them means preserving India’s agricultural soul.

Q&A Section

Q1: What defines a breed as “rare” or “at risk of extinction”?

A: A breed is considered rare when its population drops below sustainable levels, often under a few thousand animals, with limited breeding males and isolated gene pools.

Q2: Why are exotic breeds replacing indigenous ones?

A: Exotic breeds often offer higher milk yields, which attracts farmers. However, they require intensive inputs and are less resilient to Indian climates and diseases.

Q3: Are indigenous breeds economically viable?

A: Yes. While they may produce less milk, their low maintenance cost, disease resistance, and long productive life make them cost-effective in the long run.

Q4: What is A2 milk and which breeds produce it?

A: A2 milk is considered healthier and easier to digest. Most Indian native cows like Gir, Sahiwal, and Vechur produce A2 milk naturally.

Q5: How can farmers help conserve rare breeds?

A: By maintaining purebred animals, avoiding crossbreeding, and participating in conservation programs and breeding networks.

Q6: Is there any government support for conservation?

A: Yes. Programs by NBAGR and state animal husbandry departments offer financial support, breeding kits, and technical guidance.

Q7: How does climate change make native breeds more valuable?

A: Native breeds are heat-tolerant, require less water, and can survive in harsh conditions—traits essential in a warming world.

Q8: Can rare breeds compete in milk production markets?

A: Yes, through niche marketing—like organic or A2 milk—indigenous breed milk is gaining higher prices and popularity.

Q9: What is a genetic erosion risk?

A: Genetic erosion occurs when a breed’s genetic diversity is lost, often due to crossbreeding or dwindling populations, making the breed weaker over time.

Q10: How can consumers help save rare breeds?

A: By choosing indigenous breed milk and dairy products, supporting local farmers, and spreading awareness about their value and uniqueness.