Documenting India’s civilisational and natural heritage.
Unlike indigenous breeds selected primarily for dairy production, Nagori cattle were shaped by the practical requirements of farmers, traders and transporters living in an arid environment. Their long legs, powerful frame, strong feet and alert temperament enabled them to travel efficiently over hard, sandy and uneven ground.
The breed is officially recognised as an indigenous Indian cattle breed, with Maharashtra and Karnataka recorded as its native tract. Its registered accession number is INDIA_CATTLE_1108_KHILLAR_03014.
Jerdon’s Courser belongs to the family Glareolidae, which includes coursers and pratincoles. It is the only member of the genus Rhinoptilus occurring in India; the other members of the genus are found in Africa.
Published across 22 volumes, the Catalogue of Lepidoptera of India records 13,703 species belonging to 3,705 genera, 240 subfamilies, 102 families and 31 superfamilies. The documented Indian species represent approximately 8.25% of the known Lepidoptera diversity of the world.
The Kangayam is one of Tamil Nadu’s most celebrated indigenous cattle breeds—a compact, muscular and
The history of the Amritmahal is closely connected with the rulers of Mysore. The term “Amrit Mahal” has commonly been interpreted as referring to an establishment or department created for maintaining cattle associated with the royal household. The original herds reportedly included recognised Mysore cattle types such as Hallikar, Hagalvadi and Chitaldroog or Chitradurga cattle.
Hallikar cattle originated in Karnataka and are officially recognised by the ICAR–National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources as an indigenous Indian cattle breed. The breed has been assigned the national accession number INDIA_CATTLE_0800_HALLIKAR_03008.
The tiger has occupied a prominent place in Indian culture for centuries, appearing in art, royal emblems, coins, folklore and temple traditions. Its association with strength, sovereignty and the natural world contributed to the Royal Bengal Tiger being declared India’s National Animal in 1972.
The Lesser Florican is known by several regional names. In parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is commonly called Kharmor, Khamor, Tanmor or the “grass peacock,” names inspired by the male’s extraordinary monsoon display. The bird belongs to the family Otididae, which also includes the Great Indian Bustard and Bengal Florican.
The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources recognises Rathi as a distinct Indian cattle breed originating in Rajasthan, while the National Dairy Development Board classifies it primarily as a milch breed. Its recognised home tract includes Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar and Jaisalmer districts, with a particularly strong concentration around Lunkaransar in Bikaner. Rathi cattle are also reared in Hanumangarh and adjoining parts of north-western Rajasthan.
