Prelims
Periyar Kullan
Context: The ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) officially registered the Periyar cow (popularly known as Periyar Kullan) as an indigenous cattle breed.
- This makes it only the second indigenous cattle breed from Kerala to receive national recognition, following the famous Vechur cow.
About Periyar Kullan:
What It Is?
- Periyar Kullan (also locally known as Kuttampuzha cattle and Andukanni) is a small-to-medium-sized indigenous dwarf cattle breed native to the Western Ghats forest fringes and plantation tracts of central Kerala.
Habitat & Distribution:
- Geographical Range: Primarily found in the riverine and plantation belts of Ernakulam and Thrissur districts in Kerala, particularly around Koovappady, Angamaly, Kothamangalam, and Chalakudy.
- Rearing Environment: Thrives under semi-feral and silvopastoral systems (grazing within mixed vegetation of trees, shrubs, and natural grasses in rubber/spice plantations and forest fringes) with minimal human management.
Key Characteristics:
- Size & Distinct Coat: Small-to-medium dwarf build weighing between 150 and 200 kg (slightly heavier than the ultra-dwarf Vechur cow, which weighs ~130 kg), characterized by a distinctive dark brown coat.
- Unique Horn Morphology: Features a unique structural trait where the horns in some individuals do not curve upward, but instead hang down around the ears—a rare adaptive anatomical variation.
- Silvopastoral Grazing Behavior: Highly self-reliant and free-ranging; cattle graze throughout daytime plantation terrains and return to specific shelter locations or sheds by dusk.
- Rich A2 Nutritional Profile: Produces an average daily milk yield of 2.5 to 4 litres rich in A2 beta-casein, containing approximately 4.5% fat and 9.1% Solids-Not-Fat (SNF).
- Reproductive Parameters: Attains first breeding maturity at around 26 months, with first calving at 35 months and an average gestation period of 279 days.
Significance:
- Official NBAGR registration scientifically validates a unique genetic resource, enabling targeted conservation programs and state breeding support for the estimated ~1,000 surviving heads.
- Because of their extreme hardiness, natural disease resistance, low maintenance costs, and high-value A2 milk, Periyar cows offer an economically sustainable dairy model for marginal farmers and organic plantation systems.
