Donkeys: India
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. Readers will be able to edit existing articles and post new articles directly |
Contents |
Dwindling numbers
2022: The China factor
Prashant Rupera, February 17, 2022: The Times of India
From: Prashant Rupera, February 17, 2022: The Times of India
Donkeys in India, ironically, are no longer living for donkey’s years — a phrase that means a long time. The population of this common beast of burden has more than halved between 2012 and 2019 due to myriad factors ranging from loss of grazing lands to their waning utility in the face of mechanisation. A new study by animal welfare organisation Brooke India throws up another worrying cause: The relentless demand for donkey hide from China that is spurring on illegal trade in it.
Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat are among the top three states which have witnessed the steepest fall in donkey population — over 70% compared to the national average decline of 61.23% revealed in the livestock census of 2019. The total donkey population in India stood at 1.12 lakh at last count, down from close to 3 lakh in 2012.
“There is no visible evidence that the global donkey hide trade (DHT) network existed in India. However, the drastic reduction in the donkey population fortifies the argument around DHT prevalence,” reads the report titled The Hidden Hide released by Brooke India. “Animal rights activists flagged the existence of a dark underbelly that is insidiously decimating the Indian donkey population via an underground network.”
The Chinese threat
So why do the Chinese want donkey skin? The answer lies in traditional Chinese medicine, something that is driving mass extinctions of several other species worldwide. The investigative report mentions growing demand for 'Ejiao' — a donkey hide gelatine or ass-hide glue obtained by soaking and boiling the skin. Ejiao is used to treat different types of illnesses such as bleeding, dizziness, insomnia and dry cough.
"It is also a health fad, believed to prolong life, increase sex drive and maintain beauty and has seen an explosion in demand from China's rising middle class. The uncontrolled demand for Ejiao has already decimated the donkey populations in China. The situation is alarming for developing African and Asian countries that depend on the donkeys for their livelihood," it adds.
The study, based on field visits and interviews that were conducted in six states that registered the highest decline in donkey populations, also cites ample anecdotal evidence of such illegal trade in India. Vimal Dhanka, a labourer residing in Jaipur's Purani Basti, for instance, shared that around November 2020, some traders came from Gujarat and bought around 50 donkeys from different labourers of his area.
Dhanka added that the donkeys were taken to Gujarat in trucks. Later, his contact in Dahod warned him not to sell donkeys to such traders because “these animals are either getting butchered and their skin is sent to China or are transported alive to China”. Similarly, at a donkey fair in Maharashtra, a trader revealed that a person from China had approached them previously to set up a deal to buy at least 200 donkeys a month, clarifying that they would only require the skin. India’s porous border with Nepal, and the easily accessible routes from there to China, is fuelling the illegal export of live donkeys and their hides.
Citing past studies on DHT, the report states that between 4 million and 10 million donkeys are likely to be slaughtered every year to meet the uncontrolled Chinese demand for Ejiao, which has kept pace with the burgeoning middle class. This has already decimated the donkey population in China — from 11 million in 1992 to 2.6 million in 2019, and hence the growing import demand for donkey hide.
Illegal meat consumption
The threat to donkeys’ survival is not entirely external. Another big reason for their dwindling numbers is illegal slaughtering. The consumption of donkey meat is growing in Andhra Pradesh because it is cheaper and supposedly boasts medicinal values, including increasing virility.
Although the donkey is not registered as a 'food animal' and donkey slaughter is banned under the Food Safety and Standards, 2011, illegal gangs are making a business of sourcing and slaughtering donkeys in the state. The meat racket has already caused the animal to have mostly disappeared from Andhra Pradesh, so the animal is now being sourced from other states like Rajasthan and UP.
According to the study, this racket is also causing several spillover problems. To begin with, the butchers throw away the intestines and other waste materials of donkeys that cannot be sold into drains, which is a significant health hazard. “When the drains overflow during the monsoon season, the dirty water spreads into the fields, polluting both land and water, even killing animals that drink the water,” reads the report.
Growing preference for mules
The reduced relevance of donkeys as a beast of burden among the donkey-owning communities in the age of automation is also a big factor at play. For instance, at the brick kilns of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where donkeys were once common, the growing adoption of mechanisation is making them redundant.
Moreover, as far as their relevance for transportation is concerned, the country is seeing a paradigm shift in favour of mules, notes the study. After all, mules can carry up to 10 times more load than donkeys.
As things stand, the donkeys in the country are braying for hope amid the existential threats, but things aren’t looking good.
Halari donkeys
As of 2025
AjaySingh Ugras, January 25, 2025: The Times of India
Donkeys may be the proverbial beast of burden, and the animal itself has come to symbolise a dimwit, someone of little value. But not all donkeys are created equal. The Halari donkey, a breed native to Gujarat’s Halar region, is not just valued, it’s a VVIP.
The Halari donkey is a source of “liquid gold”, with its milk, valued for distinctive properties, known to have sold for an astounding Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 per litre at some online platforms.
But this acclaim comes with its own set of challenges. With fewer than 500 Halari donkeys remaining, the primary need is, of course, conservation. But the larger aim is not just increasing their numbers; it’s about teaching farmers the best practices, so that they can command premium prices.
Going For Gold
Recognising the pressing need for conservation, the National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) in Bikaner has started a dedicated programme to safeguard these animals. NRCE is also evaluating donkey milk for potential use in skincare products to sustain its high value.
NRCE chief S C Mehta said there were several instances of donkey milk being sold at stratospheric prices, but to moderate expectations. “While it is not feasible to consistently sell donkey milk at such high rates, it can readily fetch Rs 300 to Rs 400 per litre on a daily basis,” he said. “We are testing the milk for skincare applications. If the results prove promising, the high value of this milk could significantly bolster the conservation of the species.” The Halari donkey is not just valued for its milk; its unique characteristics make it particularly valuable for sustainable dairy farming. Their docile nature, combined with their adaptability to various climates, makes them ideal for small-scale farmers. They also have a much lower environmental footprint, compared to larger livestock, requiring less feed and water. In fact, their grazing habits even help maintain grassland ecosystems.
Beauty With ‘Bray’ns
Legend has it that the secret of Egyptian queen Cleopatra’s beauty was her ritual of bathing in donkey milk. The jury may be out on how much this added to her looks, but history has it that donkey milk was prized for its nutraceutical and therapeutic properties. Globally, numerous companies produce niche cosmetic products — soaps, skin gels and face washes, among others — using donkey milk as it has been found to contain compounds that hydrate the skin and prevent wrinkles.
But it’s not just that. Historically revered for its medicinal properties, donkey milk closely resembles human milk, making it an ideal alternative for babies allergic to cowmilk. Studies also suggest its potential in regulating intestinal microflora, enhancing immunity, and some “anti-diabetic” qualities.
“There are already two private companies in Karnataka and Ker- ala, including cosmetic companies, that utilise donkey milk in their products,” said an NRCE scientist. “The demand for the milk is higher in southern states. Known to contain anti-ageing, antioxidant, and regenerating compounds, donkey milk is, indeed, precious.”
Conservation Course
But selling milk in bulk is the next phase of the plan. First, conservationists are striving to protect the threatened Halari donkey, of which there remain just 439, approximately 110 of them are male.
“For pastoralists, several conservation programmes, including traditional ‘god bharai (baby shower)’ ceremonies, have been organised to create awareness,” said Narendra, a veterinary inspector who works for the voluntary organisation ‘Sahjeevan’, which focuses on conserving the Halari donkey. “Earlier, they did not breed their animals, leading to a decline in population. Now, under the network project for conservation, we are educating them about the benefits of selling milk and its byproducts at high prices. In the field, milk is sold at around Rs 250 a litre.” In 2018, the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), the nodal agency of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for registering new breeds, granted independent breed status to the Halari donkey.
However, according to a survey conducted two years ago, Rajasthan recorded a 71.3% decline in their population over eight years, while Gujarat registered an almost 71% fall between 2012 and 2019. “If urgent measures are not taken, the breed will become extinct in the next five years,” a researcher cautioned.
‘Ass’ Good As It Gets
The Halari donkey’s name honours Jam Sri Halaji Jadeja, ancestor of Jam Sri Rawalji Lakhaji Jadeja, who established the Halar region in Saurashtra in 1540. These distinctive, white-furred animals are larger than typical donkeys but smaller than horses.
“They are low-maintenance animals, and farmers with five Halari donkeys on their farms can easily earn Rs 1,500 daily,” said scientist and researcher Dau Lal Bohra.
To give local farmers a leg-up, the Bikaner centre, which houses 43 Halari donkeys — nearly 10% of their total population — has promoted the concept of farmers purchasing the species. “We have initiated a programme to monitor their diet and drinking patterns,” Mehta told TOI. We also exchange these animals with different centres, with the aim of increasing the population to at least 1,000 animals soon.”
Ladakh
Dying Donkeys of Ladakh: Where is Our Conscience
By Angela Munsel Paljor, Thursday, July 4, 2013
Leh: Donkeys have been used as domesticated animals for the past 5000 years all over the world. Almost 96% out of the 41 million donkeys are in developing and underdeveloped countries. The durability and longevity of donkeys have allowed donkeys to be used for draught work in transportation and agricultural activities over thousand of years. They are considered to be the cheapest form of agriculture power after humans. They are also used for riding, threshing, milling and other works. Historically, donkeys have played a key role in land cultivation and transportation of goods. They have been used in carrying loads as well as manure to the fields before the spring season (bung ludh), and they would be busy in the threshing fields (halo baldur) after the harvest season.
With the increasing mechanization of farming and other labor associated with the land over the years, donkeys have lost their importance as valuable domestic animals in Ladakh. Ladakhis have been treating their donkeys with such apathy that foreigners have been compelled to create a sanctuary for stray donkeys. Due to the seasonal nature of the agriculture industry, people use their donkeys at sowing and harvesting times and either lock them in sheds for days without proper nourishment or leave them to wander around streets or other people’s fields.
In the former case it leads to the undernourishment of the animals, which is awful; while in the latter case, they constantly become prey to animals like dogs and wolves. In Shey village, it is appalling how villagers have gotten used to seeing donkeys lying dead because of the frequency of such encounters. These days, donkeys are hardly used for agricultural purposes as modern tractors or threshers do their work more efficiently. This has led to villagers becoming careless and indifferent as to the whereabouts of their donkeys. It is disappointing to see people behave in such inhumane and selfish ways. In certain cases, dead donkeys are left to rot in the fields or along side the roads for days while the stray dogs feast on them.
The horrendous nature of our people is in full display in the early morning’s right in the main market of Leh. Not only are our people inhumane but in so many ways lack basic civic sense. The main market street turns into parking areas for cows and donkeys as they herd towards roadsides that are scattered with filth created by pedestrians, shopkeepers and restaurateurs. If Leh can become a hub for people from everywhere to acquire education and jobs then why can’t our people behave by not littering the streets? When we do have appropriate means of disposing wastes and regular MCL trucks coming right outside our houses, why do we still persist on strewing garbage around trash-bins instead of making sure the rubbish goes inside the bins? It has become our very nature to play the “blame game,” in which, if someone points out our mistakes, the rest of us come up with numerous excuses.
Back in the day, people in Ladakh used to live together with their animals under one roof for reasons such as poverty, but still the people were kind to their animals and treated them well. The condition of farm and other domestic animals was most probably a lot better back then compared to the present day Ladakh, where people have become so self-centered that even the death of an innocent animal does not have any effect on them.
Adding to that, at certain hours one can see people coming out of fancy cars carrying huge bags filled with garbage to throw them on deserted roads. However, people have grown accustomed to putting the blame on tourism for all the pollution and forgetting their own responsibilities towards their land. If people, in their attempts to keep their own area clean do not hesitate to destroy the other person’s surroundings, how we can expect them to look after animals like donkeys, which are of no use to them? Although donkeys are not indispensable, they are still a part of our past culture and traditions. To this day, our grandparents recall and share fond memories of seasonal occasions like the “bung ludh” and “halo baldur”. If we can still wear Gonchas and appreciate old monuments, then how is it so difficult to feed and look after living beings that were an integral part of our culture?
