Agroclimatic zones of India and animals reared in these zones.

India can be divided into 15 different agroclimatic zones on the basis of rainfall, temperature, geographical features and soil that influence the quality of livestock in the region and also according to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Introduction

1. Western Himalayan 2. Eastern Himalayan

3. Lower Gangetic plain 4. Middle Gangetic plain 5. Upper Gangetic plain 6. Trans-Gangetic plain 7. Eastern plateau and

hills 8. Central plateau and

hills 9. Western plateau and

hills 10. Southern plateau and

hills11. East coast plains and

hills 12. West coast plains and

hills 13. Gujarat plains and hills14. Western Dry15. Islands

List of agroclimatic zones

WH TGP ECPH EH EPH WCPH LGP CPH GPH MGP WPH WD UGP SPH I

Jammu & Kashmir Himachal Pradesh Ladakh Uttaranchal

Mountainous region; temperate climate; WH region is the home to sheep and goat rearing communities and some of the finest wool breeds of sheep are found in this region such as changthang, gurez ,bhadarwal and gaddi. This is also the region of pashmina goat. Yaks can also be found in this region(ladakh). There are very little herds of cows and buffalos.

1. Western Himalayan Region

Assam Manipur Arunachal Pradesh

Here sheep and goat rearing gives way to other species from elephant, yak to buffalo, goat, pig, chicken and even duck rearing is popular. Animals here are mainly reared for meat. Yak provides transport, food and fibre and yak dung is used as source of fuel.

2. Eastern Himalayan region

West Bengal

Cow, goat, sheep, and pig rearing is very common in this region. Garole breed of sheep and Black Bengal breed of goat is found in this region and are reared mainly for meat purpose.

3. Lower Gangetic plain

Bihar

Pig, cattle, buffalo, and goat are reared in this region. Animals are mainly reared for milk production in this area .

Middle Gangetic plain

Uttar Pradesh

5. Upper Gangetic plain

Punjab Haryana

Breeds of cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats are found in large number. Murrah, Nili Ravi breeds of buffalo and have contributed nicely to the milk production.

6. Trans-Gangetic plain

Madhya pradesh Bihar Orissa

7. Eastern plateau and hills

Madhya Pradesh

8. Central plateau and hills

Maharashtra

9. Western plateau and hills

Andhra Pradesh Karnataka Tamil Nadu

10. Southern plateau and hills

Andhra PradeshOrissaTamil Nadu

11. East coast plains and hills

KeralaKarnatkaMaharashtra Goa

Heavy rainfall and lateritic soils. Only those animals which can survive in rainfall are found here. Vechur breed of cattle, Surti of goat are found here. Pig rearing is popular in Goa. Tellicherry breed of goat is found in Kerala.

12. West coast plains and hills

Gujarat

Arabian goats are also found in Gujarat that are very good milkers.

13. Gujarat plains and hills

Rajasthan

Extremely hot weather conditions; limited agriculture b/c of unproductive land; The famous cattle breeds of this region are Rathi and Tharparkar. Marwari breed of goat, Marwari, Jaisalmeri, Pugal and Nali breed of sheep are found in this region. These breeds produce wool while cattle breeds are kept for dairy purpose.

14. Western Dry

Andaman & Nicobar IslandsLakshadweep

Islands economy is primarily based on forests and coconut and the sea. Pigs are the preferred species reared by communities. Goat is another favoured species. The Nicobari chicken is one of the best layer amongst the chicken in the country.

15. Islands

Livestock Production Mangement – N.S.R Sastry & C.K. Thomas

Livestock and Livelihoods, the Indian context - Nitya Sambamurthi Ghotge

References