Gangatiri is a native Indian breed, found around river Ganga in the eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh, in the Chandauli, Ghazipur and Ballia districts. This breed is also found in adjacent areas of Bhabua, Buxar, Arrah and Chhapra in the state of Bihar.
This breed is also known as Eastern Hariana or Shahabadi. Its breeding tracts include Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ballia and Ghazipur districts of Uttar Pradesh, and Bhojpur, Rohtas and Shahbad districts of Bihar.
These cattle are generally kept in the open or in thatched housing near the farmers’ houses. They are grazed for almost six to eight hours per day. They are generally kept in herd sizes varying from 2 to 150 numbers. Large herds are maintained purely on grazing, in the ‘Diyara’ – the area adjacent to the river Ganga. The current population of this breed is estimated to be around 3 to 4 lakhs, of which almost 67000 are found in the breeding tracts.
These animals have moderate bodies with coat colours that are either complete white (Dhawar) or Grey (Sokan).
Of the 40 registered native cattle breeds of India, Gangatiri is one of the most recently recognised one. [Source: National Dairy Development Board]
CowCare.Org continues to support this national movement for the promotion and conservation of our ‘desi’ cattle.
Of the 40 registered native cattle breeds of India, Gangatiri is one of the most recently recognised one.
‘Gangatiri’ is an important breed and was almost on the verge of extinction when the present Government took over its promotion and conservation through Uttar Pradesh Livestock Development Board.
The proposed Gangatiri Cows Conservation and Development Centre is already under way at Araji Line, Shahnshahpur, in Varanasi.
