and Benefit Sharing or a future International Treaty on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture.
Specifically, we maintain the following breeds that are more fully described in Appendix I:
• Cattle: Nari and Kankrej;
• Sheep: Boti (officially the Marwari) and Bhagli (officially the Sonadi);
• Goat: Marwari and Sirohi;
• Camels: Mewari, Marwari, Malvi; Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri
Many of our breeds are intrinsically migratory, and cannot be stall bred. Just as our lifestyles are suited
to the conditions they require to survive, these breeds are suited to our biocultural realities.
Traditional knowledge: Our traditional knowledge relating to breeds and breeding has arisen from
centuries of experience of tending these particular breeds in Rajasthan. We have traditional customs
that ensure the genetic diversity of our breeds, such as the rotation of bulls between villages for stud.
We have also developed extensive local treatment systems (ethno-veterinary knowledge) with which to
care for wounded or ill animals, and much of this traditional knowledge is held by both the men and
women of our community. We share our ethno-veterinary knowledge freely with other communities
that own livestock and are perhaps the only veterinary care for livestock in remote areas of rural
Rajasthan. Women also take care of the newborn animals, make decisions about the sale or transfer of
our livestock and sell milk. Our animal products are totally organic, attributes that are highly desired in
some parts of India. The wool of our animals is used for making carpets, rope and blankets and they also
provide draught.
Spiritual understanding of our breeds: Our breeds are more than just a livelihood. They form an integral
part of our social fabric and are interwoven with spiritual meaning. A number of important holy days
involve rituals that involve our animals and underscore the sacred ties between our livestock, the
environment and our traditional knowledge.
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