(a) whether any field study has been conducted to find out the ecological degradation caused by Goat and Sheep;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether corporate houses have taken to goat and sheep rearing in the country; and
(d) if so, the details thereof indicating the name of the corporate houses?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): Ministry of Agriculture had constituted a `Task Force to Evaluate the Impact of Sheep and Goats Rearing in Ecologically Fragile Zone` under the Chairmanship of Prof. C.H. Hanumantha Rao, former Member, Planning Commission and Professor in the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi University in January 1987. The Task Force in its report observed that sheep and goats do not pose a threat to the ecology as is generally believed. The grazing habits, total phytomas consumption, return of organic matter from sheep and goats to the soil, etc., were studied and compared with other ruminants like cattle, buffalo, antelope, etc. It could not be established that sheep and goats are responsible for the degradation of ecology. The Task Force, therefore, recommended that sheep and goats should not be categorized as animals responsible for the destruction of ecology.
(c): Only one corporate house has taken sheep rearing in the country.
(d): M/s Raymond Limited, Thane Maharashtra had set up a large scale sheep breeding farm in the year 1970.