Buffalo

The Banni buffalo is a native of Sind region in Pakistan. It is known for its superior germplasm, its milk productivity, its ability to survive in extreme conditions, apart from its look. It can cover long distances during drought and is disease resistant. The Banni buffalo is adapted to the Banni grasslands.

The animals are brought up on a free grazing model. The Banni Buffalo has a unique quality of night grazing. The herd goes unaccompanied to the grazing areas after the second milking in the evening and returns early in the morning the next day. The buffalo herd is led by a lead buffalo which has a bell around its neck. All the other buffaloes follow it. The herd can cover a distance up to 10 kilometers in the monsoon and 15 kilometers in the summer. The Maldharis keep their buffalos in their personal vadas in the villages and never tie their animals, even while milching.

In 2010, the Banni Buffalo was recognized as a distinct breed of buffalo in the country. It became the 11th buffalo breed and the first after independence to be recognized, with accession no. INDIA_BUFFALO_0400_BANNI_01011 as a result of collective efforts of the pastoral communities, Sahjeevan (NGO), Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU), National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) and State Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Gujarat. The Banni Buffalo is the first breed to be recognized through efforts of the community.