Uttarakhand Plans Genetic Enhancement of Its Indigenous Badri Cow

Uttarakhand Government is planning for genetic enhancement of Badri Cow through sex-sorted semen and embryo transfer technology with the aim to increase its productivity. The Badri breed derived its name from the holy shrine of Char Dham at Badrinath. It is found only in the hill districts of Uttarakhand and was earlier known as the ‘pahadi’ cow.

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Characteristics Of This Cow:

The cattle breed is small in size with long legs and varied body colours— black, brown, red, white or grey. The uniqueness of Badri cow’s produce is indigenousness and environment (in the Himalayas), as it eats medicinal herbs and is far away from toxic pollution, polythene and other harmful things that cows in the plains are subject to.

• The milk also has rich medicinal content and high organic value as it grazes only on herbs and shrubs available in the mountains.
• It is also comparatively more resistant to diseases, mostly due to its eating habits.
• This strong and disease resistant breed is found in the hilly areas of Almora and Pauri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand.

Its Significance:

This cattle of Uttarakhand clinched the coveted title of being the first certified cattle breed of Uttarakhand after the National Bureau Of Animal Genetic Resource included it as Badri breed.