Times News Network

• Experts voice concern over depleting number of buffaloes for Kambala
• Farmers feel they can not afford to maintain buffaloes.

Mangalore, May 22: “Man and beast engaged in one spurt of activity and one aim - victory.’’ This quote defines Kambala (buffalo race), a characteristic of the coastal belt of Dakshina Kannada.

But the district is on the verge of losing its rare and exclusive sport as the number of race buffaloes is fast depleting. Biodiversity experts feel it is high time a serious thought is given towards protecting the buffaloes, lest they join the list of the extinct. May 22 being World Biodiversity Day, it is the best time to take up the issue.

So far, no study has been done on race buffaloes though experts feel there is immense scope for study of these breeds and their genetic make-up.

According to Satyanarayana Bhat, executive officer of Karnataka State Biodiversity Board, Bangalore, “The race buffaloes are seen nowhere in the world and herd of cattle and breed them exclusively for racing. Now farmers feel they can not afford to maintain them.

Bhat said, “Buffaloes are well bred throughout the year. There is no issue of cruelty to animals. These buffaloes could well be the ambassadors of eco-tourism for the region.’’

The declining breed can be attributed to natural depletion of resources like grass lands and water. “Extreme humidity in the coastal region is a major cause for its depletion. Ponds rightly, they can be listed as geographical indicator of the region. Interestingly, geographical indicators take a significant place in the biodiversity map as it is similar to patenting a product,’’ he told.

“Like we relate Nanjangud near Mysore to Rasa Bale (plantains) or Coorg to oranges, Dakshina Kannada could be well characterized for these race buffaloes,’’ he adds.

In the past, the agrarian families would maintain a couple of buffaloes among the and vast expanse of grasslands provided conducive atmosphere for breeding,’’ says Prasanna Kumar Hebbar, veterinary officer at Puttur.

Stating that race buffaloes here have not been characterized as any specific breed due to lack of a systematic study, he said a streamlined study on the pedigree of these animals was essential. Dakshina Kannada district Milk Producers Union is organising a seminar on the status of buffaloes in DK on Monday, coinciding with the World Biodiversity Day. It remains to be seen if academic exercises of this kind will really revive the rare breed of buffaloes.