Donkeys: India - Revision history

Jyoti: /* Dwindling numbers */

2025-11-27T17:08:17Z

‎Dwindling numbers

Jyoti: /* Ladakh */

2025-11-27T17:06:34Z

‎Ladakh

Jyoti: /* Dwindling numbers */

2025-03-03T04:41:37Z

‎Dwindling numbers

Jyoti: /* Ladakh */

2022-02-28T15:55:20Z

‎Ladakh

Pdewan: /* Dying Donkeys of Ladakh */

2022-02-20T17:30:15Z

‎Dying Donkeys of Ladakh

Pdewan: Pdewan moved page Donkeys of Ladakh to Donkeys: India without leaving a redirect

2022-02-20T17:29:42Z

Pdewan moved page Donkeys of Ladakh to Donkeys: India without leaving a redirect

Pdewan at 16:45, 11 March 2014

2014-03-11T16:45:06Z

Pdewan at 18:33, 29 December 2013

2013-12-29T18:33:44Z

Pdewan at 18:32, 29 December 2013

2013-12-29T18:32:29Z

Pdewan: Pdewan moved page Dying Donkeys of Ladakh to Donkeys of Ladakh

2013-12-02T17:37:22Z

Pdewan moved page Dying Donkeys of Ladakh to Donkeys of Ladakh

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 =Dwindling numbers=
 ==2022: The China factor==
@@ Line 55: / Line 71: @@
  As things stand, the donkeys in the country are braying for hope amid the existential threats, but things aren’t looking good.
 =Halari donkeys=

@@ Line 132: / Line 132: @@
 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?
-[[Category:Fauna|D
+=Population=
-DONKEYS: INDIA]]
+==Madhya Pradesh: 1997- 2024==
-[[Category:India|D
+[https://epaper.indiatimes.com/article-share?article=23_10_2025_009_006_cap_TOI  Oct 23, 2025: ''The Times of India'']
-DONKEYS: INDIA]]
-[[Category:Name|ALPHABET
-DONKEYS: INDIA]]
-[[Category:Places|D
-DONKEYS: INDIA]]
-[[Category:Fauna|DDONKEYS: INDIA
+Bhopal : Will donkeys go extinct in Madhya Pradesh? The latest livestock census paints a grim picture — the state now has just 3,052 donkeys, a sharp fall from 49,289 in 1997, marking a 94% decline in less than three decades.
 DONKEYS: INDIA]]
-[[Category:India|DDONKEYS: INDIA
+[[Category:Name|ALPHABETDONKEYS: INDIADONKEYS: INDIA
 DONKEYS: INDIA]]
-[[Category:Name|ALPHABETDONKEYS: INDIA
+[[Category:Pages with broken file links|DONKEYS: INDIA
 DONKEYS: INDIA]]
-[[Category:Places|D DONKEYS: INDIA
+[[Category:Places|D DONKEYS: INDIADONKEYS: INDIA
 DONKEYS: INDIA]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:41, 3 March 2025
Line 55:		Line 55:

	As things stand, the donkeys in the country are braying for hope amid the existential threats, but things aren’t looking good.		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==
		+	[https://epaper.indiatimes.com/article-share?article=25_01_2025_022_014_cap_TOI 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.”
		+
		+	[[Category:Fauna\|DDONKEYS: INDIADONKEYS: INDIA
		+	DONKEYS: INDIA]]
		+	[[Category:India\|DDONKEYS: INDIADONKEYS: INDIA
		+	DONKEYS: INDIA]]
		+	[[Category:Name\|ALPHABETDONKEYS: INDIADONKEYS: INDIA
		+	DONKEYS: INDIA]]
		+	[[Category:Pages with broken file links\|DONKEYS: INDIA]]
		+	[[Category:Places\|D DONKEYS: INDIADONKEYS: INDIA
		+	DONKEYS: INDIA]]

	=Ladakh=		=Ladakh=

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
-=Ladakh =
+=Dwindling numbers=
 ==Dying Donkeys of Ladakh: Where is Our Conscience==
@@ Line 44: / Line 84: @@
 DONKEYS: INDIA]]
 [[Category:Places|D
 DONKEYS: INDIA]]

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
-=Dying Donkeys of Ladakh =
+=Ladakh =
 ==Dying Donkeys of Ladakh: Where is Our Conscience==
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 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?

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 [[Category:India|D]]
 [[Category:Fauna|D]]
-  [[Category:Places|Alphabet]]
+  [[Category:Places|D ]]
 [[Category:Name|Alphabet]]

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 |}
-[[Category:  India |D]]
+[[Category:India|D]]
-[[Category: Fauna    |D]]
+[[Category:Fauna|D]]
   [[Category: Places |Alphabet]]
 [[Category:Name|Alphabet]]