Agroclimatic zones of

India and animals

reared in these zones.
Introduction
India can be divided into 15 different
agroclimatic zones on the basis of
rainfall, temperature, geographical
features and soil that influence the
quality of livestock in the region and
also according to the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research.
List of agroclimatic zones
1. Western Himalayan 1. Western plateau and
2. Eastern Himalayan hills
2. Southern plateau and
3. Lower Gangetic plain hills
4. Middle Gangetic plain 3. East coast plains and
5. Upper Gangetic plain hills
6. Trans-Gangetic plain 4. West coast plains and
7. Eastern plateau and hills
hills 5. Gujarat plains and hills
8. Central plateau and 6. Western Dry
hills 7. Islands
 WH  TGP  ECPH
 EH  EPH  WCPH
 LGP  CPH  GPH
 MGP  WPH  WD
 UGP  SPH  I
1. Western Himalayan Region
Jammu & Kashmir
Himachal Pradesh
Ladakh
Uttaranchal

Mountainous region; temperate climate; WH region is the

home to sheep and goat rearing communities and some of
the finest wool breeds of sheep are found in this region
such as changthang, gurez ,bhadarwal and gaddi. This is
also the region of pashmina goat. Yaks can also be found
in this region(ladakh). There are very little herds of cows
and buffalos.
2. Eastern Himalayan region
Assam
Manipur
Arunachal Pradesh

Here sheep and goat rearing gives way to other species

from elephant, yak to buffalo, goat, pig, chicken and
even duck rearing is popular. Animals here are mainly
reared for meat. Yak provides transport, food and fibre
and yak dung is used as source of fuel.
3. Lower Gangetic plain
West Bengal

Cow, goat, sheep, and pig rearing is very common in this

region. Garole breed of sheep and Black Bengal breed
of goat is found in this region and are reared mainly
for meat purpose.
Middle Gangetic plain
Bihar

Pig, cattle, buffalo, and goat are reared in this region.

Animals are mainly reared for milk production in this
area .
5. Upper Gangetic plain
Uttar Pradesh
6. Trans-Gangetic plain
Punjab
Haryana

Breeds of cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats are found in

large number. Murrah, Nili Ravi breeds of buffalo
and have contributed nicely to the milk production.
7. Eastern plateau and hills
Madhya pradesh
Bihar
Orissa
8. Central plateau and hills
Madhya Pradesh
9. Western plateau and hills
Maharashtra
10. Southern plateau and hills
Andhra Pradesh
Karnataka
Tamil Nadu
11. East coast plains and hills
Andhra Pradesh
Orissa
Tamil Nadu
12. West coast plains and hills
Kerala
Karnatka
Maharashtra
Goa

Heavy rainfall and lateritic soils. Only those animals

which can survive in rainfall are found here. Vechur
breed of cattle, Surti of goat are found here. Pig
rearing is popular in Goa. Tellicherry breed of goat is
found in Kerala.
13. Gujarat plains and hills
Gujarat

Arabian goats are also found in Gujarat that are very

good milkers.
14. Western Dry
Rajasthan

Extremely hot weather conditions; limited agriculture

b/c of unproductive land; The famous cattle breeds of
this region are Rathi and Tharparkar. Marwari breed
of goat, Marwari, Jaisalmeri, Pugal and Nali breed of
sheep are found in this region. These breeds produce
wool while cattle breeds are kept for dairy purpose.
15. Islands
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Lakshadweep

Islands economy is primarily based on forests and

coconut and the sea. Pigs are the preferred species
reared by communities. Goat is another favoured
species. The Nicobari chicken is one of the best layer
amongst the chicken in the country.
References
Livestock Production Mangement – N.S.R Sastry &
C.K. Thomas
Livestock and Livelihoods, the Indian context -
Nitya Sambamurthi Ghotge