R VIMAL KUMAR
TIRUPUR, SEP 3
Asserting that breeding of genetically pure animals is a cattle farmer’s right and avoidance of artificial insemination will do a world of good not only in assisting the conservation of ‘genetically pure’ native breeds but also for animals’ overall wellbeing, farmers welcomed the Madras High Court’s recent order.
This was the reaction of many cattle farmers while hailing the Madras High Court order directing authorities to avoid artificial insemination of animals and to allow only native bulls in bull-taming or jallikkattu.
The Court had stressed the need to uphold the mating right and termed the denial of the right to copulate would amount to cruelty to animals under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Karthikeya Sivasenapathy, a seventh generation ‘in- situ’ breeder of genetically pure Kangayam cattle breed and also the managing trustee of Senaapathy Kangayam Cattle Research Foundation, explains to this reporter how important is to avoid artificial insemination when it comes to ‘native breeds’.
Pastoralism still prevails in Rajasthan
“People involved in livestock are the custodians of the breeds since the emergence of livestock concept with the domestication of cow, bull and dog about 7,000 years back. Initially, it was ‘pastoralism’ that took off with nomadic people who moved around with herds before the advent of ‘settled agriculture’. Even now, ‘Raikas’ in Rajasthan are going ahead with pastoralism involving specific camel breeds and so too the Kurumbas with cattle in South India which helps natural breeding”, pointed out Sivasenapathy.
When opting for artificial insemination, one will not be able to physically see the bull or its traits so as to ensure that calf would continue to fully retain the desired genetic characteristic of the breed, he says.
The farmers like K Palanisamy, who used to take part in the conventional cattle melas, reiterate that the natural mating would also help boost psychological aspects of cattle.
(Author is a freelance journalist who was formerly Principal Correspondent of THE HINDU)
