VILLUPURAM: Mention the word Kanaiyaru in this part of the State and chances are people would start talking about the popular Umbalachery cow, a country breed that can be sourced from that village.
In Kanaiyaru near Ulundurpet, rearing the Umbalachery is the main profession – as many as 60 families are into it with each having over 30 cattle heads. Till a few months ago, business was lucrative. No longer.
The situation has changed from bad to worse with about 20 Umbalacherys and 10 goats dying in the village because of acute drought. Many villagers have not been able to graze their livestock and provide proper fodder or water. Left with little options, quite a few villagers have started migrating to places where relatives have at least drinking water.
The USP of the Umbalachery is withstanding extreme summer, yet it is dying. Informs Devan (48), a local: “The Umbalachery cow can withstand extreme climate, which is why it is in high demand. They are usually employed in farm work.”Villagers in Kanaiyaru, which has a population of 750 people, rear about 2,000 livestock, including 1,500 cows and 500 goats.
Poongothai (58), another villager, blames the lack of water on the eucalyptus plantation in the nearby forest. “This village that is located near the Edaikal forest is well known for its fertile soil. But a decade ago the forest department planted eucalyptus trees on 2,000 acres in the forest. This destroyed the bushes and medicinal plants as eucalyptus sucks up ground water,” she points out.
This year due to low rainfall, there is a total absence of vegetation in and around Kanaiyaru, not even grass. Villagers point out that about 100 spotted deer live in the forest nearby and they too are facing water shortage.
They demand that the district administration supplies free fodder for the cattle and also make arrangements for drinking water.
A forest department official requesting anonymity told Express that since the water shortage was anticipated, the department has made arrangements like digging water troughs in forests to supply water to the wild animals. He added that after a discussion with the Ulundurpet revenue officials, necessary steps would be taken to supply water to the villagers and also fodder for livestock.
Umbalachery factoids
Native breed of Thanjavur and Nagapattinam districts
Light built and medium sized animals
Bullocks are small, swift and best suited for agricultural operations
The cows are poor milkers