What's New
Vechurpasu Punarjanmam
The history of Vechur Cattle Conservation written by Dr Sosamma Iype, Professor (retd) of Animal Breeding and Genetics of Kerala Agricultural University. Read to know about the heartening efforts behind this pioneering conservation project by Dr Sosamma Iype who dedicated her life to the noble cause of saving a breed from extinction.
About Us
Vechur Conservation Trust
When thousands of wild and domestic species of animals and birds go extinct each year and their existence itself turn into are going into the oblivion with passing years. In this context, every year saving the Vechur – , the smallest cow in the world, from the brink of extinction was is asaga in determination and grit and a road to victory for conservation itself. When thousands of wild and domestic species are going in to the oblivion every year saving the Vechur, the smallest cow in the world, from the brink of extinction was a saga in conservation. A group of motivated students and a teacher were instrumental in the initiation of the conservation of Vechur cattle of Kerala from the brinks of extinction. The objective of the trust was conservation of all domestic animals and birds of Kerala and the name Vechur was just symbolic. Functioning as an Association active in the conservation of the small cattle, ‘Vechur’ in Kerala since 1989, the group worked tirelessly through the active involvement of a dedicated handful of people. These individuals through sheer word of mouth and active groundwork managed to convert this into a movement that not only identified ‘Vechur’ as known ‘endemic’ cattle of India; but specifically, also raised awareness on the importance of conserving it.
This Association which was active from 1989 was registered as a public trust called the Vechur Conservation Trust, in 1999, dedicated to the cause of Domestic Animal diversity conservation of Kerala. Also this was the The name Vechur is symbolic as this was the most endangered breed. A number of indigenous farm animal breeds are gradually declining and are becoming extinct. The Vechur cattle of Kerala are such an endangered breed of cattle important to the biodiversity of India.
.
The Vechur Conservation Trust is a charitable organisation with operations throughout the State of Kerala. Vechur Conservation Trust is today, the pioneer agency with regard to the efforts of conservation of Domestic Animal Diversity(DAD) in Kerala.
The Trust has always worked with adjoining communities and ecosystems that recognise the importance of conserving species endemic to India and vital towards maintaining the biodiversity balance of the region. as conservation is to be done in different locations and with community partnership. It was very difficult for the farmers to keep bulls, so semen was supplied from the original conservation unit in the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). The Trust advocates Livestock keepers’ rights and have published a translated booklet on the subject.
Vechur Conservation Trust is the pioneering agency with regard to the conservation of Domestic Animal Diversity (DAD) in Kerala.
The Conservation of Vechur cow began as a voluntary work undertaken by Sosamma Iype and a team of eco-conscious students of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy.
The starting of a conservation project to save a breed from extinction was the first of its kind in India.
The ‘Save Vechur Campaign’ further initiated a sequence of other DAD conservations and characterizations in Kerala.
