Punganur Cow Breed

Context: 

The Prime Minister fed cows of the Punganur breed of Andhra Pradesh on the occasion of Pongal/ Makar Sankranti.

About Punganur Cow Breed 

• Indigenous Breed: The Punganur cow is an indigenous breed native to the Punganoor, Vayalapadu, Madanapalli, and Palamaneer talukas of Chittoor district in the Rayalaseema region of southern Andhra Pradesh. 

Punganur Dwarf Cows

• Smallest Breed: It is considered to be the world’s smallest humped cattle. 
• Population Data: According to the  20th Livestock Census conducted in 2019, the total number of Punganur was recorded at 13,275, which included 9,876 pure and 3,399 graded heads of cattle.
• Highest Population States in Pure Breed Category: Andhra Pradesh (8,806), followed by Telangana (977), Karnataka (66), Kerala (15), Maharashtra (6), and Tamil Nadu (6). 
• Highest Population States in the graded category:  Andhra Pradesh (2,725), followed by Telangana (399), Karnataka (351), Tamil Nadu (10), and Kerala (4).

Conservation Efforts For Punganur Cows

• Financial Support: The Andhra Pradesh government has provided financial support through its budget for the promotion of the Punganur cow breed.
  • The Centre has sanctioned funds for the establishment of Gokul Gram at the P V Narasimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Hyderabad for the promotion of Punganur and other indigenous breeds of cattle in Telangana.
• National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre (NKBC): The NKBC for the southern region has been established at Chintaladevi, Nellore, in Andhra Pradesh.

News Source: Indian Express

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