A workshop and stakeholder meet on ‘Status and Way forward for Characterization, Registration & Value Addition of Animal Genetic Resources of Ladakh’ was organized by ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department of Ladakh at Leh (Ladakh) on 17th December 2024. The workshop was attended by the scientists of the ICAR-NBAGR, DRDO- Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), KVK-Leh, Officers of Dept. of Animal Husbandry, and Sheep Husbandry, Ladakh, livestock keepers and pastoralists.It was a significant step towards preserving and promoting Ladakh’s animal genetic resources (AnGR). Around 60 pastoralists from across Ladakh rearing cattle, yak, sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, etc., were felicitated on the occasion.
The Chief Guest Shri Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, emphasized the importance of conserving Ladakh’s distinct breeds. This day will be marked in golden words, and future generations will remember the significant work carried out by ICAR-NBAGR, he added.
The Guest of Honour, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee, Executive Councillor (Animal Husbandry), LAHDC, Leh highlighted the activities and schemes carried out by the council for farmers of Ladakh.
Dr Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR, highlighted the importance of such initiatives in sustaining the biodiversity of high-altitude regions and creating avenues for value addition and economic upliftment for local communities.
Dr B P Mishra, Director, ICAR-NBAGR, Karnal, discussed the activities and achievements under the mission to achieve zero ND in AnGR of India, with a particular focus on exploring the animal genetic resources of Ladakh’s high-altitude region. He also highlighted ICAR-NBAGR’s decade-long efforts in characterizing and documenting the AnGR of Ladakh.
Dr O.P. Chaurasia, Director, Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh, highlighted the usage and work carried out by DIHAR on horses, ponies, and yaks as pack animals.
The workshop featured the release of publications on Ladakh’s animal genetic resources and a documentary on Ladakh AnGR. Dr M Mukesh, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NBAGR also gave a presentation highlighting the uniqueness of milk and milk products of Ladakhi cattle and yak. Bureau also submitted Geographical Indication (GI) application for Ladakhi cow churpi to the Animal Husbandry Department, Ladakh for further filing.
Bureau also organized Scientists -Farmers Interface Meets on 16, 18 & 19th December, 2024 at Gya, Lamayuru and Kanji villages of Ladakh with cattle, yak and donkey keepers and highland pastoralists of the region, in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department of Ladakh and other local agencies. Farmers were sensitized about scientific management of indigenous AnGR and pastoralism. Around 25 pastoralists attended the program. Dr Raghavendra Bhatta, DDG (AS) ICAR, Dr B P Mishra, Director, ICAR-NBAGR, other scientists of the NBAGR, Officers of Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Ladakh, Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Ladakh attended the programs. Feed/neutraceutical supplements were also distributed to the beneficiaries under the TSP. About 50-100 farmers attended the field programmes.
