BRAINS
AND BRAWN : ENVIRONMENT
NEWS
:
The endangered Halari donkeys, native to the Halar region of Gujarat, are
considered to be intelligent animals which work closely with human beings
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS ?
Donkeys are intelligent animals which work closely
with human beings. They are social animals and form close bonds with people,
supporting them for transport needs.
Halari
Donkeys Overview:
- Location: Found in Halar
region of Gujarat (Jamnagar and Dwarka districts).
- Status: Endangered with
fewer than 500 remaining.
- Characteristics: White,
larger, and more resilient than other donkey breeds.
Uses:
- Historically used for
construction (dams, forts, temples) due to their strength.
- Bharwad and Rabari
pastoralists use them as pack animals during migration.
- Kumbhar
community uses them for pottery work in Jamnagar.
- Price
exceeds ₹1 lakh per donkey.
- Halari donkey milk, known
for its sweetness, is valued in powdered form at ₹7,000+ per kg, mainly
for cosmetic use.
Conservation
Efforts:
- Led by Sahjeevan Trust,
Gujarat's Animal Husbandry Department, and National Bureau of Animal
Genetic Resources.
- Pure-bred Halari donkeys
identified for breeding.
- Calls for breeding farms in
the Halar region with more state government support.
Source
: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/2024-10-06/th_delhi/articleGTFDE0VJC-8285485.ece