BHANDARA

According to locals, animal husbandry is regarded as a significant occupation in the Bhandara district, but is considered secondary to agriculture. While only a few individuals consider animal husbandry as their primary occupation, most farmers participate in animal husbandry alongside their agricultural activities. This dual approach provides a reliable source of income that helps mitigate the uncertainties associated with farming and allows for capital generation.

According to locals, the quality of local cattle is generally fair, except for the northern region near Tumsar, where some esteemed breeds are found, comparable to the Gaolao breed from Wardha. Common cattle breeds in the district include Desi (local breed), Sahiwal, Gir/Gyr (Gujarati breed), Boston, and Jersey, with a minor presence of the Rathi breed.

The rearing of buffaloes in Bhandara district closely resembles that of cattle, as both are primarily utilized for milk and dairy production. The buffalo breeds found in the district include Murrah, Jafrabadi, and Nagpuri. The fodder provided to buffaloes includes a special local type known as “Kukus,” which is primarily made from rice straw or the upper layer of rice. 

Poultry farming in Bhandara stands out from other animal husbandry practices as it serves as a primary income source for many involved, rather than a supplementary activity. The prevalent chicken breeds in the district include Kadaknath, Berad, Leghorn, Kakrel, and Sewad.

Locals say that various goat breeds are raised, including Gavrani (local), Bor, Ajmeri, Jamnapari, Totapari, Sirohi, Sojat (Gujarat), Bor (Africa), Naagfani (Rajasthan), and Usmanabadi. The most commonly reared sheep breed in the district is the Deccani. 

Goat rearing is more prevalent than sheep and pig farming among the local population. This activity is primarily carried out by small and marginal farmers, including members of self-help groups (SHGs).

In Bhandara district, the fodder provided to goats is known as “Pachrangi,” which consists of a mix of five types of feed, including wheat, mulch, tur, and grain shells. The Animal Husbandry Department and Zilla Parishad organize workshops under the Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD) program, covering essential topics such as housing, breeding, management, disease control, and vaccination for sheep and goats.

One of the most significant changes in dairy farming has been the shift from hand milking to the widespread use of milking machines in areas where cows and buffaloes are milked. Similarly, the reliance on bullocks for ploughing fields has largely been replaced by tractors. The traditional grazing system has also evolved—previously, a designated person would take the village cattle to graze in the forests. However, this practice has declined as farmers now cultivate enough fodder on their land, enabling them to feed their livestock directly without the need for separate grazing trips.

Some of the veterinary services in Bhandara district include:

• Veterinary Hospital, Pauni
• Pet Vet Veterinary Clinic, Bhandara Town
• Royal Dog Clinic and Shopee, Opposite Pande, Bhandara Town
• Dog Care Clinic, Rajiv Gandhi Square, Bhandara Town

The livestock market landscape in Bhandara district features several key markets dedicated to various types of livestock. Kardha Market is specifically focused on cattle trading. Other weekly markets are held in Palandur, Kondha, Tumsar, Lakhani, and Pauni, where a variety of animals are traded.

According to the Bhandara District Gazetteer (1979), fisheries in Bhandara district were primarily dependent on the Wainganga River and its tributaries—Bagh, Chulband, Panjoli, and Bawanthari, which collectively provided nearly 500 kilometers of fluvial waters. Additionally, the district had an extensive network of reservoirs, tanks, and ponds, covering a total water-spread area of 28,000 hectares, comprising approximately 14,000 individual water resource units. While 3,200 units (6,000 hectares) were under the jurisdiction of the Zilla Parishad and 92 units (8,000 hectares) under the State Government, around 300 privately owned tanks (6,320 hectares) were actively used for pisciculture. The remaining water bodies were primarily utilized for irrigation, though some were incidentally used for fish culture.

Large-scale fisheries development was still in progress during the earlier times, but six large irrigation reservoirs and 50 small irrigation tanks (each over 40 hectares) under construction, created additional potential for expanding fish production in the district.

The fishing population in Bhandara district was dispersed across various villages along the Wainganga River and its tributaries. Unlike other professions, fishing was often a part-time occupation, with many individuals primarily engaged in agriculture. The main fishing communities in the district included Kahar, Bhoi, and Koli, who were predominantly Hindus, though some Muslims and members of tribal groups such as Gonds and Bhils were also involved in fishing activities.

The primary fish species found in Bhandara’s rivers and reservoirs included Tambir (Labeo fimbriatus), Wadis (Puntius tor), Kolshi (Puntius kolus), Shivda (Wallago attu), Wagur (Clarias magur), Bodth (Bagarius bagarius), and Tamboo (Anguilla bengalensis). Additionally, prawn fisheries were an important aspect of the district’s fishing industry, mainly comprising Macrobrachium malcolmsonii. The total annual riverine fish catch in the district was estimated at 100 metric tonnes, with prawns accounting for approximately 10 metric tonnes of the overall catch.