Lulu cow is one of the different breeds of cows reared by the farmers of Mustang, Manang and Dolpa in the Himalayan districts. The Himalayan Lulu cow, which has been making an important contribution to the ecosystem, is in an endangered state recently.
The Lulu cow is one of the local breeds of cows that do not have a jowl. Compared to other cows, the Lulu cow, which is raised in the high terrain of the Himalayan region, is somewhat smaller. It has been observed in high places above the height of 2,500 meters above sea level.
Veterinarian Dr Lalmani Aryal, Head of Veterinary Hospital and Animal Services Expert Center informed that the Lulu cow, which has been observed as a tradition and culture for centuries in Mustang, is in an endangered state recently. He said that ten years ago, there were about 10,000 Lulu cows in Mustang, but recently, about 6,000 Lulu cows have been reared in the fifth municipality of Mustang. "Lulu cattle rearing in Mustang is decreasing year by year, local farmers have not shown much interest in its conservation", Veterinarian Dr. Aryal added, 'Due to low milk production and other alternative opportunities, no one has paid attention to Lulu Gari conservation.'
Because the farmers of Mustang need fertilizer for the production of grain crops and because they can produce a small amount of milk, Lulu cows are raised. Aitlal Thakali, Head of Animal Branch of Gharapzhong Rural Municipality, said that Lulu cows produce very less milk than other cows, so farmers have neglected Lulu cows. "Farmers are not sensitive to the need to protect the Lulu cow, this has become a matter of great concern," said Thakali, head of Pashu branch, "The village municipality has also been supporting the farmers by encouraging them to protect the Lulu cow."
The Lulu cow reared by Mustang farmers is considered as a biological dimension of Himalayan tradition and culture. However, as the biological diversity and culture here are affected, there is an increased risk of extinction of the Lulu cow raised in the Himalayan region, according to Thakali, head of the animal department. It seems that the Lulu cattle breeding business, which is in a state of displacement in the
district, is only used for agricultural purposes. Recently, with the development of road network and technology, the farmers of Mustang have gradually stopped rearing Lulu cows. Ajit Thakali, a farmer of Gharpazhong, said that Lulu cows, which were reared in the current condition in Mustang, have been left to be protected by the farmers. "Farmers began to ignore Lulu cows more than other livestock, they started abandoning them randomly", he said, "Farmers stopped keeping Lulu cows after they started running agriculture and hotels." Farmer Thakali says that in the past, up to 10/12 Lulu cows were reared in one house, but now there is not even one Lulu cow in a house. With the development of agriculture and tourism, farmers have stopped believing that Lulu cows should be protected, said Thakali.
Lulu cow produces up to one liter of milk in the morning and in the evening. Lulu cows of the Himalayas are becoming endangered due to low milk production and high labor and cost. Similarly, if the farmers do not protect the Lulu cows, dogs and snow leopards eat them, which has become a challenge in the conservation of Lulu cows in Mustang. Due to the increase in the temperature of the land due to climate change, the water sources in the high lakes and Khark have started to dry up, and since the grass has stopped growing in the grazing areas, there is a trend of leaving Lulu cows in the streets and alleys, neglected by the farmers. Although it has the ability to manage its own food, Lulu cow is found to supplement its diet by eating paper and food thrown by others in the villages and on the streets.
– Sundarkumar Thakali
