Rudraprayag: Despite of shortage of basic facilities, the Animal Husbandry department has undertaken some notable measures for improvement of bovine breeds and experiments in artificial insemination for improved breeds. Cross breeding with foreign breeds for improving the breed for specific purposes has achieved an increase in milk production which has in turn improved the economic condition of cattle owners.

It should be noted here that agriculture and farming based enterprises are among the mainstays of the economy in the State. The shortage of land fit for farming in the mountainous regions has increased the importance of cattle. The increase in human population has also been accompanied by alterations in the graph related to cattle and other domesticated animals.

In order to make the local breeds of bovine animals more profitable and boost activities in the agriculture sector based on the same, the Animal Husbandry department has encouraged artificial insemination which has increased the quantity and quality of bovines in the region.

According to figures released by the department in 2008, the population of bovines in Rudraprayag District in 2008 was 2326. However, by encouraging the use of artificial insemination even in remote rural mountainous regions of the District the department has been able to increase the population of bovines in Rudraprayag to 1, 05,033 in the present year. Apart from focusing on the bovine population the department is also working to encourage poultry as a means of economic improvement in the district.

According to departmental sources, the poultry population has increased by 15,000 this year as compared to past years. However, officials inform that a decrease has been registered in the population of sheep and goats reared for commercial benefit in the district based on the substantial between figures released in 2003 and 2008.

The population of sheep and goats dropped by 70,000 in the past five years since 2003. The district chief veterinary officer, Dr RK Verma said that the departments concerned are taking different measures to encourage latest practices to encourage animal husbandry in a manner which is more profitable for farmers. This business is playing a vital role in the rural economy.