Rise in number of domestic animals in Indian state

The population of domestic animals, except buffalo and especially poultry, has been on the rise in Kodagu district, India, the 18th animal census in the district conducted in 2007 shows.

There has been a marked increase in poultry by over 30,000 from the 17th domestic animal census in 2003.

There were a total of 241,183 animals such as cattle (including exotic breeds), buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, donkeys and horses in the district during the 2003 census. The number has gone up by 2,304.

In poultry, the number has increased from 268,343 birds in 2003 to 299,521 in 2007, said K.C. Krishnamurthy, Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Kodagu, on Tuesday (June 22).

The number of cattle has risen considerably since 2007 owing to the implementation of the special package designed on the lines of the Vidarbha package, said Dr. Krishnamurthy.

However, there has been a slight dip in the number of locally bred cattle. Less use of draught animals in agricultural is being cited as one of the reasons for the decline.

There were 30 exotic varieties of cattle in the district in 2003. The mixed breed cattle population has gone up in the district with a total of 32,367 cattle in 2007, Dr. Krishnamurthy said.

The exotic breeds were higher in number in Somwarpet Taluk as there were a number of milk cooperative societies functioning here. There are just three milk cooperative societies in Madikeri Taluk and none in Virajpet Taluk, Dr. Krishnamurthy said.