The Journal of Research ANGRAU
Contents of 41(1) 2013 - acharya ng ranga agricultural university
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 />
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