Burdened beast: India’s donkeys are disappearing; here is why

Burdened beast: India’s donkeys are disappearing; here is why

Subject :Environment

Rapid disappearance of donkey population-

• According to the “20th Livestock Census” released in 2019, India has 0.12 million donkeys — 62 per cent lower than the 0.32 million recorded in 2012.
• Other equines — mules, horses and ponies — also saw a decrease in numbers, while the populations of cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats rose in 2012-19.
• The rate of decline in the donkey population is also increasing exponentially.

Reasons for their decline-

• One of the main reason for the decline in donkey population may be the significant demand for its meat and hide.
• Although trade of donkey’s meat is illegal, there is rampant smuggling both inside the country and abroad.
• Donkey meat is consumed in southern states, particularly Andhra Pradesh and parts of Telangana.
• In traditional Chinese medicine, boiling donkey skin produces a gelatin called ejiao, which can be consumed or mixed with cosmetic products to treat conditions such as insomnia, dry cough and poor blood circulation.
• A study by the non-profit in 2021 records illegal export of live donkeys, hide and meat from states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
• Other reasons include:
  • Mechanisation in industries
  • Communities moving to other occupations due to better education,
  • Lack of government support or policy
  • Increase in the cost of maintaining the animal.

Importance-

• Donkey milk is nutritious and has less fat content compared to bovine milk. But there is not much awareness and market for it.
• Maldhari community of Gujarat that rearsHalari donkeys (a breed native to the state), also consume their milk to treat health ailments.
• ICAR-NRCE is studying the properties of the milk and working on improving the yield.