PM Modi fed fodder to Punganur cows.
Chittoor: On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, PM Modi was seen feeding fodder to small cows at his residence. Seeing these pictures, many people thought that this is not a cow but a calf. But the cows to which PM Modi fed fodder are called Punganur cows. These cows of Punganur breed are found in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. At one time the number of these cows was around 13 thousand, but in the meantime it reduced to 200. Now when PM Modi posted its pictures, people are showing more enthusiasm about this cow.
Why was it named Punganur?
Actually, these desi cows found in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh are famous for their short stature. They have been named Punganur after the village Punganur in Chittoor. Before independence, the landlords of this village used to rear the Punganur breed and consume the nutritious milk obtained from it. Let us tell you that the maximum height of this cow is only 3 feet, that is why it is counted among the smallest cows in the world. The milk of these cows has more fat and other minerals than other cows. While the milk of normal cows contains 3.5 percent fat, 8 percent fat is found in the milk of Punganur.
Why is it called gold mine?
The urine and dung of Punganur cow also have medicinal value, that is why they are used as natural medicines and organic fertilizers. This is the reason why local people also call this cow a gold mine. Punganur cows eat very little fodder. They can survive on just 5 kg of fodder in a day, that is why this breed is also called a drought resistant breed of cow. Their weight is between 100-200 kg and they can give maximum one and a half liter milk in a day.
Breed on the verge of extinction
Due to low quantity of milk, farmers had stopped rearing Punganur cows, as a result their numbers suddenly started falling. However, in the year 2014, PM Modi launched Mission Gokul for the conservation of indigenous breed of cows. The Government of Andhra Pradesh launched Mission Punganur by combining the funds received from this program and the state treasury. Sri Venkateshwara Veterinary University has set up a Cattle Research Station at Palamaner near Punganur, where continuous research is being done on this special breed of cow. Also, special efforts are being made in this institute for their conservation and to increase their population.
Religious characteristics of Punganur cows
Apart from all this, Punganur cows also have religious and spiritual importance. People believe that Mahalakshmi resides in these cows, that is why affluent people in almost all the states of South India keep these cows in their homes and worship them daily. Also, their milk is considered very sacred and nutritious, that is why only the milk of Punganur cow is used for Bhog and Kshirabhishek in many famous temples of South including the world famous Tirupati Balaji Temple. When PM Modi posted the video of Punganur cow, this breed has once again come into limelight.
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