<p>Amruth Mahal cattle breed which was popular even during the reign of Mysore rulers, is now on the verge of extinction, thanks to the ignorance of the Animal Husbandry Department.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Mysore kings had given emphasis to Amruth Mahal cattle breed. It was believed that the breed was known for its quality milk. <br /><br />It is for the same reason, the rulers had reserved some part of land and forest for rearing these animals. Records say that Mysore ruler Tippu Sulthan too had popularised the breed and was using them to carry weapons to the war field. <br /><br />These cattle breed stand a class apart from the rest for they maintain the stamina and health even after consuming any amount of food and they never express tiredness. It is estimated that the districts like Chikmagalur, Chitradurga, Davangere, Tumkur, Hassan and Mandya have 63,000 acre of Amruth Mahal Kaval land out of which 20,000 acre land has been encroached. The animals like black bucks, peacock, leopard, bear, pig and other birds and animals take shelter in these forest land.<br /><br />Though few steps have been taken by the Animal Husbandry Department to preserve these varieties and to generate interest among the farmers to rear the breed, it has not proved to be of a great help. Ajjampura Breeding Centre in the district has 140 pairs of Amruth Mahal cattle and Basoor centre has 90 pairs of Amruth Mahal cattle. The Department keeps the female calves born in the Kaval for breeding while the buffalo above two years are sold for agriculture activities. <br /><br />In the recently held auction in Birur and Konehalli, the cattle breed proved its popularity with a pair of calves being sold for Rs 1,33,700. With an intention to protect Amruth Mahal cattle breed, small groups have been formed in the villages where the farmers are allowed to farm the Kaval land and also rear Amruth Mahal cattle. When Ramachandrapura Mutt came forward to look after and protect this cattle variety the government rejected the proposal.<br /><br />The Animal Husbandry Department has now given the Amruth Mahal Kaval land for sheep rearing in Challakere, to look after aged Amruth Mahal cattle in Rayasandra in Thipatur, for Agriculture University in Konehalli and for protecting of Hallikar cattle breed. These developments have taken place even after the High Court’s order not use Kaval land for any other purpose other than for the protection of Amruth Mahal cattle breed. Though a committee headed by Balasubrahmanyam had submitted a report on encroachment of Kaval land, no concrete measures have been taken so far. <br /><br />The officials from Animal Husbandry Department opine that government should acquire the encroached Kaval land under Section 192 A. <br /></p>
<p>Amruth Mahal cattle breed which was popular even during the reign of Mysore rulers, is now on the verge of extinction, thanks to the ignorance of the Animal Husbandry Department.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Mysore kings had given emphasis to Amruth Mahal cattle breed. It was believed that the breed was known for its quality milk. <br /><br />It is for the same reason, the rulers had reserved some part of land and forest for rearing these animals. Records say that Mysore ruler Tippu Sulthan too had popularised the breed and was using them to carry weapons to the war field. <br /><br />These cattle breed stand a class apart from the rest for they maintain the stamina and health even after consuming any amount of food and they never express tiredness. It is estimated that the districts like Chikmagalur, Chitradurga, Davangere, Tumkur, Hassan and Mandya have 63,000 acre of Amruth Mahal Kaval land out of which 20,000 acre land has been encroached. The animals like black bucks, peacock, leopard, bear, pig and other birds and animals take shelter in these forest land.<br /><br />Though few steps have been taken by the Animal Husbandry Department to preserve these varieties and to generate interest among the farmers to rear the breed, it has not proved to be of a great help. Ajjampura Breeding Centre in the district has 140 pairs of Amruth Mahal cattle and Basoor centre has 90 pairs of Amruth Mahal cattle. The Department keeps the female calves born in the Kaval for breeding while the buffalo above two years are sold for agriculture activities. <br /><br />In the recently held auction in Birur and Konehalli, the cattle breed proved its popularity with a pair of calves being sold for Rs 1,33,700. With an intention to protect Amruth Mahal cattle breed, small groups have been formed in the villages where the farmers are allowed to farm the Kaval land and also rear Amruth Mahal cattle. When Ramachandrapura Mutt came forward to look after and protect this cattle variety the government rejected the proposal.<br /><br />The Animal Husbandry Department has now given the Amruth Mahal Kaval land for sheep rearing in Challakere, to look after aged Amruth Mahal cattle in Rayasandra in Thipatur, for Agriculture University in Konehalli and for protecting of Hallikar cattle breed. These developments have taken place even after the High Court’s order not use Kaval land for any other purpose other than for the protection of Amruth Mahal cattle breed. Though a committee headed by Balasubrahmanyam had submitted a report on encroachment of Kaval land, no concrete measures have been taken so far. <br /><br />The officials from Animal Husbandry Department opine that government should acquire the encroached Kaval land under Section 192 A. <br /></p>
