Telangana bull in the ring for recognition

Mahbubnagar: There is a typical kind of cattle belongs to a special breed from the Telangana State, which has no less than any reputed international class but unfortunately forgotten for the ages. Despite facing drought conditions, these cattle have been surviving since centuries but visible only in Nallamala region of Telangana.

These are known as ‘Turupu cattle’. After formation of Telangana, the State authorities are throwing focus on this breed. A considerable number of these cattle can be found in Amrabad mandal in Mahbubnagar district.

These typical cattle can be identified by their appearance. Usually they are white in colour with red or brown spots or light red colour with white spots. Their sharp horns have no bends. These cattle acclimatised to the conditions of Telangana. Working efficiently by consuming less fodder is the special characteristic of these cattle.

Thousands of cows and bulls of this breed were seen everywhere in the region. But now its population has been reduced to hundreds. People used to graze them in nearby Nallamala forest, where abundant fodder was available. The number has come down after forest officials restricted the entry.

“We used to take cattle into forest in groups. When officials denied entry into forest, we found problem for the fodder. We sold away our cattle after failing to feed them,” lamented Mahender Goud, a farmer of Mannanur village.

Another farmer Balasailu said that he had more than 100 cattle when everything was going in favour of them. But fodder scarcity made him to do away majority of the cattle. “Now I have only 30,” he sighed.
Another interesting characteristic of these cattle is they can feel the water source from one kilometer distance. They can efficiently work up to 20 years of age. Major disadvantage of Turupu cattle is they can produce only three liters of milk per day.

“These are locally called as Kuruvu Meena cows and bulls. Turupu became their name as large number of farmers from Maharashtra and Karnataka purchase them” explains Madhusudan Reddy, veterinary doctor at Atchampet.

Telangana Bio-diversity Board and department of animal husbandry of Telangana along with an NGO, Vasana are trying to trace the roots of these cattle. Based on the information available till now, they came to conclusion that these cattle belonged to Telangana State. They are conducting more explorations in depth.

If Turupu cattle are to be declared to be the breed from Telangana, National Bureau of Animal Genetics should endorse it. The Telangana Bio-diversity Board is busy with this work and it is expected to be completed within eight months. People from the region appeal the government to take necessary steps to get recognition for Turupu cattle.

They fear that the breed will be taken away by some foreign countries, otherwise. If all efforts succeed, the Turupu Bull will become a brand for Telangana like Ongole Bull for Andhra Pradesh, Pulikulam for Tamil Nadu and Kanakaraj for Gujarat.

Mahbubnagar: There is a typical kind of cattle belongs to a special breed from the Telangana State, which has no less than any reputed international class but unfortunately forgotten for the ages. Despite facing drought conditions, these cattle have been surviving since centuries but visible only in Nallamala region of Telangana.

These are known as ‘Turupu cattle’. After formation of Telangana, the State authorities are throwing focus on this breed. A considerable number of these cattle can be found in Amrabad mandal in Mahbubnagar district.

These typical cattle can be identified by their appearance. Usually they are white in colour with red or brown spots or light red colour with white spots. Their sharp horns have no bends. These cattle acclimatised to the conditions of Telangana. Working efficiently by consuming less fodder is the special characteristic of these cattle.

Thousands of cows and bulls of this breed were seen everywhere in the region. But now its population has been reduced to hundreds. People used to graze them in nearby Nallamala forest, where abundant fodder was available. The number has come down after forest officials restricted the entry.

“We used to take cattle into forest in groups. When officials denied entry into forest, we found problem for the fodder. We sold away our cattle after failing to feed them,” lamented Mahender Goud, a farmer of Mannanur village.

Another farmer Balasailu said that he had more than 100 cattle when everything was going in favour of them. But fodder scarcity made him to do away majority of the cattle. “Now I have only 30,” he sighed.
Another interesting characteristic of these cattle is they can feel the water source from one kilometer distance. They can efficiently work up to 20 years of age. Major disadvantage of Turupu cattle is they can produce only three liters of milk per day.

“These are locally called as Kuruvu Meena cows and bulls. Turupu became their name as large number of farmers from Maharashtra and Karnataka purchase them” explains Madhusudan Reddy, veterinary doctor at Atchampet.

Telangana Bio-diversity Board and department of animal husbandry of Telangana along with an NGO, Vasana are trying to trace the roots of these cattle. Based on the information available till now, they came to conclusion that these cattle belonged to Telangana State. They are conducting more explorations in depth.

If Turupu cattle are to be declared to be the breed from Telangana, National Bureau of Animal Genetics should endorse it. The Telangana Bio-diversity Board is busy with this work and it is expected to be completed within eight months. People from the region appeal the government to take necessary steps to get recognition for Turupu cattle.

They fear that the breed will be taken away by some foreign countries, otherwise. If all efforts succeed, the Turupu Bull will become a brand for Telangana like Ongole Bull for Andhra Pradesh, Pulikulam for Tamil Nadu and Kanakaraj for Gujarat.