Periyar Kullan Cattle Breed Registered by ICAR-NBAGR
Why in the news
The national bureau for animal genetic resources gave formal registration to a small forest-edge cattle type from Kerala.
Key facts
- Registered by ICAR-NBAGR (Karnal, Haryana), which registers India’s animal genetic resources.
- Also called Kuttampuzha cattle and Andukanni.
- Kerala’s second registered breed; the first was Vechur.
About the breed
- Small-to-medium dwarf cattle of Western Ghats forest edges and plantation belts in central Kerala.
- Found in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, around Koovappady, Angamaly, Kothamangalam and Chalakudy.
- Thrives in semi-feral, silvopastoral conditions with little human management.
| Breed | Notes |
|---|---|
| Vechur | World’s smallest cattle breed, about 130 kg |
| Periyar Kullan | 150-200 kg; 2.5-4 litres a day; A2 beta-casein |
Exam angle
- Silvopastoral: trees, forage and livestock sharing land.
- Another dwarf breed: Punganur (Andhra Pradesh).
- Related programme: Rashtriya Gokul Mission.