Even when it comes to dogs, we still haven't got over the colonial hangover. We import breeds and give them English names. RAJAT GHAI speaks to S THEODORE BASKARAN, whose recent book explores little-known indigenous breeds.
What are the differences in the breeding of Western and Indian dogs—philosophical, conceptual and training?
In the West, the dog has been a companion animal. Though some breeds were used for hunting and guarding, most were developed as companion breeds and were trained to be so. They were given the run of the house and were treated as part of the family. In India, however, the dog has been used as a work animal, like the horse, mainly for hunting. The people who raised dogs were hunters, trappers, pastoralists and farmhands. So dogs were not cared for by the upper castes. It was considered a pollutant, as many literary references show.
The Government of India has banned the import of foreign breeds for breeding purposes. Do you think it will make any difference, given that there is a surfeit of foreign genes already present in India?
The description “surfeit of foreign genes already present in India” is problematic. Are you talking about breeds? There is no surfeit. In fact, there is a lot of inbreeding of foreign breeds in India. You can see the difference between a German Shepherd in Europe and the one in India. This is a result of inbreeding.
The ban on foreign breeds will not make any difference to indigenous breeds. The ban will prevent new strains coming in. This rule is regressive. It is likely that foreign breeds in India will further deteriorate. Puppy mills will grow active. Soon you will have an Indian pug! What we need are top-class sires if we want to develop work dogs like Seeing Eye dogs or guide dogs (to lead the blind, for instance), therapy dogs or companion dogs. We cannot have Seeing Eye dogs or companion dogs (for the disabled) in India because of the omnipresence of stray dogs.
Do you think indigenous breeds in India were the collateral damage for the ban on hunting and wildlife conservation?
Denne historien er fra January 16, 2018-utgaven av Down To Earth.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 16, 2018-utgaven av Down To Earth.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health
BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara
