Dynamics of livestock population in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

An attempt has been made to analyse the trends in livestock population in Himachal Pradesh in last two decades. Minor livestock species like Yak, Pig, Horse, Mule, Donkey and Camel population was excluded from the study as their all combined population accounted for only 1% of the total livestock population in the state in the 20th livestock census. The percent growth rates were calculated for all inter census period from 1997 to 2019. The study concluded that total livestock population in Himachal Pradesh has shown negative trend over the years 1997-2019. Except for the 190.2 % growth of crossbred/ exotic cattle population in the state, all other including Indigenous cattle, Buffalo, sheep and goat population has shown negative growth in the mentioned period i.e. 1997-2019. The recent census has recorded negative growth rate for all livestock species excluding crossbred cattle.