Appendix 1: Bargur biodiversity register
We steward the following breeds of livestock, Bargur cattle and hill buffalo have been
exclusively developed by the Bargur forest dwelling communities.
1.
Bargur cattle
The Bargur breed of cattle is primarily a hilly draught breed of Tamil Nadu. Bargur
cattle are medium-sized animals. They are red coloured with varying extent of white
markings. They are semi-wild and hardy to handle. The complete enumeration revealed
that a total of 2529 animals only were available in the breeding tract, out of which 1109
were breedable females. This population size falls under endangered category for the
purpose of conservation as per the prescribed standards.
Lingayat community elders recalled that Bargur breed of cattle in Erode district was
estimated around 100,000 in 1991 has dwindled to 2500 animals as on date by 2009.
These animals used to stay in the forests for eight months and in the agricultural lands
for four months. The breed has the capacity to walk long distances, does not require
ropes to fasten them and intelligent and obedient animals quick to learn and suited to
work and moderate milk yielder. When the Special Task Force (STF) operations began
against the forest brigand Veerappan, the police stopped people from grazing these
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