Three days awareness cum training programme on “Conservation and management of Indigenous Livestock Resources” was conducted by ICAR-KVK, West Garo Hills (WGH) at KVK campus from 9th to 11th April 2024 under Network Project on Animal Genetic Resources (AGR), ICAR, RC for NEH region, Umiam, Meghalaya and funded by ICAR-National Bureu of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal, Haryana. The programme was conducted to create awareness among farmers to conserve the indigenous breeds of livestock and poultry available in Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
        Conservation of indigenous resources is important to the long term survival of any species, particularly in the light of changing environmental conditions. The different indigenous breeds of farm animals are adaptable to the harsh climatic conditions and suitable for low input management system in terms of feeds, fodder and health care. They are capable to convert low quality feeds and fodder into animal products and have better disease resistance power than exotic breeds. But these breeds are now subject to fast genetic degradation and dilution because of unplanned breeding and introduction of exotic germplasm through cross breeding. As a result, some indigenous breeds are becoming endangered and there is depletion of good native germplasm which was having unique quality of disease resistance and heat tolerance. So, indigenous genetic resources need to be conserved for future animal breeding and economic importance. Till now 220 indigenous breed are registered with ICAR-NBAGR, Karnal, Haryana including 53 cattle, 20 buffalo, 39 goat, 45 sheep, 8 r horses & ponies, 9 camel, 14 pig, 3 donkey, 3 dog, 1 yak, 20 chicken, 3 duck, 1 geese and 1 synthetic cattle. One indigenous pig called as “Wak Chambil”, in Garo hills was already registered in 2022.
        The awareness cum training programme was inaugurated on 9th April 2024 at KVK in the presence of Dr. Eljitha, A.H. Veterinary Officer, Babadam Veterinary Dyspensary, WGH as special guest who also delivered lectures on “conservation and management of indigenous pigs and cattle”. The course coordinator, Dr. Sagarika Borah, STO, KVK took the introductory class and explained the participants about the importance of conservation of indigenous resources for socioeconomic and cultural value. She emphasized to register more indigenous animals like goat, pig and cattle and chicken available in Garo Hills. More than 40 farmers and farm women from Nengjabolchugre, Aminda Simsang, Aminda Rangsa, Dengnakpara, Selbalgre and Marapara villages of West Garo Hills district participated in the programme. On second day, Dr. Eldora Ch Momin, Sr. Veterinary officer, Poultry Development, Williamnagar, EGH delivered one lecture on “conservation and management of indigenous poultry available in Garo Hills”. Dr. Tarun Kr Das, CTO, KVK explained the participants about the process of new breed registration with NBAGR, Karnal, Haryana. On Third day, feeds for pigs and poultry, vitamins, mineral mixture and medicines were distributed among the participants in the presence of Dr. Monica Singh, SS cum Head, KVK, West Garo Hills. KVK, West Garo Hills is highly thankful to Dr. Sourabh Deori, Sr. Scientist & PI, Network Project on AGR, ICAR- RC for NEH region, Umiam for his initiative to conduct the programme at KVK, West Garo Hills.