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Conservation of Red Jungle Fowl in Haryana
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The Red Jungle Fowl is found in India and is distributed approximately along
with the Sal forests in the country. It was also found in Malaysia, Indonesia
and adjoining countries of the eastern region from where it is reported to be
extinct. Of late concerns had been raised regarding the genetic integrity and
the purity of RJF in the wild and those under captivity. This matter regarding
the purity of the wild RJF is important because wild genes often hold the key to
disease resistance. The dilution with the genes of domestic fowl results in the
endangerment of RJF.
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The red jungle fowl (RJF) is one of the four jungle fowls found in the Indian
Subcontinent belonging to the genus Gallus, the other three being grey, Ceylon
and Green. RJF is distinct in its appearance; its strikingly colourful plumes
and majestic red comb makes it a beautiful bird. The presence of eclipse plumage
differentiates this from other poultry birds.According to historical evidences
RJF was first domesticated in Harappa and Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley around
2500-2100 BC. From the place of domestication RJF moved to other parts of the
world and has contributed to the evolution of various breeds of domestic chicken
across the globe. India, despite being the origin of the red jungle fowl is
importing poultry from outside. It is reported that the wild populations of RJF
have been contaminated by domestic or feral chicken. However, it has been opined
that the non-contaminated RJF still exists which need to be saved.
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With the decline in forest resources and rapid urbanization the population of
many wildlife species has decreased to an alarming in low level. The need for
the conservation of Galliformes species was highlighted at national and
international level in the early part of 1990. The Haryana Forest Department,
with a view to breed available local pheasant species and release them in nature
established a pheasant breeding center at Morni, about 30 km from Panchkula
during 1991-92 and 1992-93. Initially it was thought that the center would breed
Red Jungle Fowls, Cheere pheasants, Kalij pheasants and Chakores. However, later
the emphasis continued mainly on Red Jungle Fowls and Kalij pheasants.
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Morni Pheasant Breeding Center |
Six aviaries and a walk-in aviary have been constructed for
breeding of the pheasants.During the years 1992-93 to 1995-96 few eggs were
collected from the wild and hatched at the center. However, after 1996 most of
the increase in the population of the bird is breeding in the center itself.
Help of broody hen was taken for brooding & hatching purposes. During the year
1998-99 fourteen birds born in the summer of 1998 were released in the forest
area. In 1999 seven birds and in 2000 again 10 birds were released. Thus in all
31 sub-audlt birds were released in the preselected proper habitat of the birds.
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Genetic Studies |
The Director, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
in November-December, 1998 suggested the Forest Department to take up the
genetic studies on Red Jungle Fowls. The matter was discussed in the State
Wildlife Advisory Board meeting held in January, 1999. For some reasons the work
on genetic study could not be initiated. The Government of Haryana constituted a
committee of officers for monitoring the genetic study of Red Jungle Fowls in
2001 and a proposal for funding the project sent to Government of India who
provided the funds during 2002-03. The CDFD (Center for DNA Finger Printing and
Diagnostics, an autonomous center of the Department of Biotechnology, Government
of India) Hyderabad was approached for taking up this study.
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Blood samples of twenty-five birds from
Pheasant Breeding Center, Morni, twenty-one birds from the forest of Bir
Shikargah, ten birds form the forest of Kalesar were collected between November,
2002 to December, 2003. In addition blood samples of domestic fowls from three
villages around Bir Shikargah forests were collected. CDFD also requested for
blood samples of Grey Jungle Fowls. These samples were made available by Chief
Wildlife Warden, Karnataka and Chief Wildlife Warden, Tamil Nadu from their zoos
at Bannerghatta, Mysore and Vandalur.The preliminary genetic studies have been
completed by CDFD. The future applied genetic studies and conservation studies
need to be initiated systematically. |
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2009, Haryana Forest Department, All rights reserved |
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