Dynamics of livestock population in ic hyper arid partial irrigated zone

Animal husbandry is a major economic activity of the rural people, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. Development of the livestock sector has a significant beneficial impact in generating employment and reducing poverty in rural areas. Livestock contributes a large portion of draft power for agriculture with approximately half the cattle population and 25 percent of the buffalo population being used for cultivation. This study presents the temporal growth of livestock population in Ic Hyper Arid Partial Irrigated Zone. The livestock population of hybrid cows, buffaloes and goats has increased while the population of sheep and camel decreased during 2007 to 2012. It indicates the commercialization of animal rearing with shrinkage in grazing land in the study area.