An indigenous hair sheep breed faces a threat from industrial plan

A wide width: The Vembure sheep is easily recognizable from its medium -sized drop ears, short and thin lines and high bodies. It is based completely on natural grazing land, not on commercial cattle fodder. | Photo credit: special arrangement

In the grazing lands of the districts of Thothukudi and Virudhunagar Prospera of the Vembure sheep (‘Pottu Aadu’). The name comes from its unique fur pattern, with white skin adorned with irregular reddish brown patches, and in strange cases of black cervatillo. These different brands distinguish the theme of other sheep races in India.

The Vembure sheep is one of the five races of indigenous hair sheep of Tamil Nadu, along with Madras Red, Macheri, Chevvadu and Kilakarasal. Its medium -sized fall ears, thin coats and thin high bodies make them great. It also has significant cultural and economic importance for farmers who depend on them for their livelihood. But this wide treasure faces a threat to its own existence: the Sipcot industrial project in the Thothukudi district.

Official recognition

During generations, Vembur sheep have been an integral part of Tamil Nadu’s pastoral landscape. According to him FAO and health paper production 30 (1982), prepared by Achaharya RM, the population of the race was 0.262 m in 1972, and decreased slightly to 0.251 m in 1977 (0.029 m adult males and 0.142 m adult females). Recognizing its uniqueness, the official of the National Office of Genetic Animal Resources registered the breed in 2007.

The breed is distributed in the northern part of the district of Thothukudi: Vembur, Ettayapuram, Nagalapuram and Keelakarandhai, and parts of the Virudhunagar district. However, the purest form of the breed is concentrated in the bonding union of Thothukudi.

Another significant quality of the race is that it does not depend on the commercial fodder of cattle, but that completely in the natural grazing grounds. Duration 6-8 hours of grazing, feeds on native pastures such as touch-me-do not (Mimosa Pudica), Onion (Celosia argentea), and crowfoot grass (Eleusine indicates). Natural resilience and adaptability of the dry climate make it ideal for rainfall fed agricultural regions. Farmers rarely provide shelters, since the sheep thrives outdoors.

Reproduction usually occurs after the monzón of the NVIAS, already differentiated from other commercial races, its reproductive cycle is slower, and each woman produces only one lamb per cycle. The natural reproduction method has contributed to clarify the purity of the race. A massive industrial project, under the SIPCOT, takes over around 1,000 acres of land in Vembur. The Earth includes the fertile grazing land that has supported the Vembur race for years.

A. Varadharajan, President, the Karisal Bhoomi Farmers Association, says that without grazing grounds, sheep will run out of food, which forces farmers to give up their cattle or change to other activities.

“Most families in the village have built their livelihood around this race. He has played an important role in improving their economic conditions, educating their children and transforming their lifestyle,” he adds. In accordance with a 2009 study published in The Indian Journal of Animal SciencesThe estimated population of the sheep in the districts of Thothukudi and Virudhunagar stood at 31,000 in 1998. The average size of the flock was 38.6, which comprised a RAM (adult man), 24.5 sheep (adult females) and 13.1 lambs.

ThanGaraj, another local farmer, highlights the pride that this breed has brought to the region. He says that the sheep won a great duration of recognition in the 1980s; Since then, its market value has increased constantly. “Today, a couple of sheep costs ₹ 18,000- ₹ 20,000, but the implementation of the industrial project in the region will affect the sheep.”

Stable population

With the stable population in recent years, conservationists expected this wide continuous to prosper. However, biologists warn that the interruption of their grazing land can obtain the gain. While a government farm in Satur has been working to preserve the breed, it cannot replace the open space of Fasters, the Brecires for survival and breeding.

S. Sanjeeviraj, Regional Director of Animal Breeding, Thothukudi, says that the race is exceptionally suitable for farmers due to adaptability and rapid growth. “The average lamb weight at birth is around 3 kg to 3.5 kg, and rises to almost 20 kg in 6 to 8 months,” he adds. Hey, also highlights the complete dependence of the breeding land for food, and the challenges it will face if this land is tasks for the project.

The unique resilience of race, genetic features and connection with deep boats with the earth make it irreplaceable. Losing it to industrial expansion would mean erasing part of the agricultural identity of the region. In addition to the crisis, the interest in decline among the younger generations in cattle and agriculture. Experts fear that the breed can decrease rapidly if immediate action is not tasks.