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The Journal of Research ANGRAU

Contents of 41(1) 2013 - acharya ng ranga agricultural university

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A STUDY ON MIGRATION PATTERN OF SHEEP FLOCKS IN TELANGANA<br />

Table 1. Months, duration and distance <strong>of</strong> migration <strong>of</strong> sheep flocks in Telangana region<br />

S.No. Zone Tract No. Months <strong>of</strong> migration Duration (days) Distance (Km)<br />

1 NTZ I 15 th Feb- 15 th May 60 60<br />

2 NTZ II 5 th Feb-5 th June 121 25<br />

3 NTZ III 20 th Feb- 20 th June 121 120<br />

4 NTZ IV 15 th Feb- 15 th June 121 55<br />

5 NTZ V 10 th Feb-10 th June 121 80<br />

Mean± SE 108.8± 12.2 68.0 ±15.7<br />

6 STZ VI 5 th April- 5 th July 91 70<br />

7 STZ VII 15 th April- 15 th July 94 200<br />

8 STZ VIII 25 th Dec- 25 th July 213 70<br />

9 STZ IX 5 th April- 5 th July 91 30<br />

10 STZ X<br />

5 th Jan-5 th April &<br />

10 th Aug-10 th Sep<br />

122 20<br />

11 STZ XI 15 th Jan- 15 th Aug 212 232<br />

12 STZ XII 10 th April- 10 th July 92 232<br />

13 STZ XIII 15 th Feb- 15 th April 60 150<br />

14 STZ XIV 5 th Jan-5 th Aug 212 200<br />

15 STZ XV 20 th Feb-20 th June 121 25<br />

16 STZ XVI 10 th Jan-10 th June 151 250<br />

17 STZ XVII 15 th Feb- 15 th June 121 260<br />

Mean± SE 131.6 ±15.4 144.9± 27.51<br />

18 CTZ XVIII 5 th Jan- 5 th April 90 25<br />

19 CTZ XIX 20 th Jan- 20 th June 151 50<br />

20 CTZ XX 20 th Feb- 20 th June 121 90<br />

Mean± SE 120.66± 17.66 55.0± 18.92<br />

Overall Mean± SE 124.3 ± 10.05 112.2 ± 19.5<br />

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION<br />

Sheep rearing largely depended on grazing<br />

under extensive system <strong>of</strong> production. Whenever,<br />

the grazing sources degraded farmers were<br />

compelled to resort migration. <strong>The</strong> migration in local<br />

language (Telugu) known as ‘Valasa’ or ‘Mannem’ is<br />

being performed by farmers who are having large<br />

flock size. <strong>The</strong> migration started between 5 th Feb<br />

and 20th Feb in I to V tracks and between 5 th Jan –<br />

20 th Feb in XVIII to XX tracks, whereas, year round<br />

migration was observed in ST zone due to prevailed<br />

cropping pattern (Table 1). In majority <strong>of</strong> tracks sheep<br />

farmers returned from migration to their native track<br />

between April and June. Thus initiation linked to the<br />

onset <strong>of</strong> dry season and withering <strong>of</strong> surface<br />

vegetation while the termination was based on the<br />

onset <strong>of</strong> monsoon. <strong>The</strong> migrating sheep flock<br />

covered a minimum distance <strong>of</strong> 25 km and maximum<br />

<strong>of</strong> 260 km with a mean <strong>of</strong> 112.2 ± 19.5 km. <strong>The</strong><br />

duration <strong>of</strong> migration ranged from 60 to 213 days<br />

with a mean <strong>of</strong> 124.3 ± 10.5 days. Kumaravelu (2007)<br />

identified 8 major, 10 minor and eleven migratory<br />

tracks, respectively in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil<br />

Nadu. Regarding the onset and return <strong>of</strong> migration<br />

48

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