The state of Jammu and Kashmir, a north temperate region of Indian subcontinent, is a rich source of indigenous germplasm. Owing to the rich biodiversity in terms of sheep, goat, camel, yak and poultry, the livestock activity has a contribution of about 11percent in the Gross Domestic Product of the state. It offers promising employment opportunities and handsome economic returns especially in rural mountainous areas of the state. The indigenous livestock populations are very well adapted to various challenges posed due to certain topographic, demographic and other factors. The importance of these indigenous livestock in state economies and its role in improving the nutritional status and incomes of many small farmers and landless communities has been recognized by various scholars and rural development agencies in the last two decades. But the uncontrolled intermixing among the indigenous breeds and the infusion of exotic germplasm, has by far led to the dilution of pure native breeds. These native breeds of Jammu and Kashmir as understood from the present study exhibit high genetic variation and its rearing can emerge as an important component of rural development that can generate employment, augment rural economy, besides providing nutritional security at low inputs. Certain efforts, associated with the conservation and proper breeding strategies, need to be implemented in the form of ground level programmes and schemes to ensure better productivity, improvement and conservation of indigenous livestock resources.

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