Punganur Cows

• Context (IE): On occasion of Pongal/Makar Sankranti’s, the Prime Minister fed Punganur breed cows.
• The Punganur breed is native to the Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh.
• These dwarf cattle are the world’s shortest-humped breed.
• Punganur cows come in various colours (white or grey or shades of light or dark brown).
• They have small, crescent-shaped horns, longer in females than males.
• They were once on the verge of extinction. However, their numbers improved from 2,828 (19th Livestock Census) to 13,275 (20th Livestock Census).
• Distribution: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

Conservation efforts taken

• Andhra Pradesh government provided financial support for the promotion of the Punganur breed.
• GoI established Gokul Gram for the promotion of Punganur and other indigenous breeds of cattle in Telangana.