Team from NBAGR in Haryana is documenting the breed.

Scientists have launched a project to genetically document the buffaloes of Bargur in Erode district, a breed kept in 32 hamlets by vegetarian Lingayats to meet their protein requirements. What makes these medium-sized animals special is that, with zero additional inputs, they yield a minimum of three to four litres of milk. They need very little home feeding and graze on their own. A team from the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resource (NBAGR) in Haryana is touring these hamlets to document the phenotypic (physical features) and genetic characterisation of these animals.

“Documentation is vital to prevent bio-piracy and illegal export of germplasm to other countries without the knowledge of National Biodiversity Data Centre. We cannot make a claim under Intellectual Property Rights until the animals are identified and defined,” Vikas Vohra, Senior Scientist of the NBAGR told The Hindu .

Buffalos of Toda tribes in Tamil Nadu have already been documented and Bargur buffalos will join the list of recognised breeds in the country after the study. “The study will reveal how Bargur buffalos are different from other known breeds in the country,” Dr. Vohra said.

K.N. Raja, who had earlier studied Rajapalayam and Chippiparai dogs, said the documentation would include physiological features and genetic characteristics of the buffalos that are extremely adapted to grazing in uneven fields. “We are collecting blood samples and only the genetic study would reveal if the breed is suffering from inbreeding,” he said. This is the first visit and they will make a couple of trips to the area for further study. As Lingayats are vegetarians, they depend purely on buffalo milk for their nutritional requirements. At present, a total of 2,500 animals are bred by the community.

“The animals reach a height of 100 cms and are greyish-brown in colour.” The owners never feed them and they graze on the hill areas. Only during rainy season when grazing is not possible, they feed them with ragi plant,” said P. Ganapathi, Assistant Professor and Head of the Bargur Cattle Research Station, who is coordinating with the NBAGR scientists.