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Context

• To increase the productivity of its indigenous petite Badri cow, that grazes on the medicinal herbs of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand is now planning for its genetic enhancement.

Details

• Badri/Pahari desi cow is a native cow species of Uttarakhand. This cow grazes in the Himalayas on native herbs and shrubs and hence its milk has high medicinal value. This breed has strong immunity.
• Possessing a balanced gait for the hills, this cattle breed is small in size with long legs and varied body colours – black, brown, red, white or grey. This breed is comparatively more resistant to diseases, mostly due to its eating habits.
• The petite Badri cow is found only in the hill districts and was earlier known as the pahadi cow. 
• As the Badri cow grazes only on herbs and shrubs available in the mountains, its milk has rich medicinal content and high organic value. The same is the USP of its produce for which its ghee is quite expensive. Its urine has a high value due to its feeding and habitat. The lactation milk yield ranges from 547 to 657 kg, with an average milk fat content of 4%.
• Badri cow’s produce is significant due to its indigenousness and her environment (in the Himalayas), as she eats medicinal herbs and is far away from toxic pollution, polythene and other harmful things that cows in the plains are subject to.
• Uttarakhand’s indigenous cow - Badri – in 2016 became the state's first ever cattle breed to get certified by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR).

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/uttarakhand-plans-genetic-enhancement-of-its-indigenous-badri-cow/article66247599.ece

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