“Kendrapara sheep”- a new breed of sheep

Question: Kendrapara sheep is locally known as-
(a) Kuji mendha
(b) Garol breed
(c) KunjiPada
(d) None of these
Ans: (a)
Related facts:

• On 10 July 2016 National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources(NBAGR) has formally accorded registered breed status on “Kendrapara sheep”, an indigenous variety mainly found Odisha state.
• Locally it is called as ‘kuji mendha’.
• It is the 42nd sheep breed to have been registered in India
• It is a typical breed of sheep. These sheep are fast breeders giving multiple birth while those in other parts of the state give single birth at a time.
• Kendrapara breed was identified as the second in India and sixth in the world to carry FecB mutation gene responsible for multiple births such as twins and triplets.
• Similarly, in Sundarbans area of West Bengal, Garol breed sheep are found who are multiple-breeders.
• These sheep are mostly brown in colour. Head, face, belly and legs are bare. Rest of the body is covered with non-lustrous hair.
• Animals have horizontal ears; short, straight and drooping tail. Button type horns in few males.
•  Adult body varies from 24 to 30kg. Estimated population is about 1,23,000.
• These are primarily used for production of mutton.
• It should be known that Breed Registration Committee in its meeting on 21st June, 2016 at New Delhi approved registration of nine new breeds of livestock and poultry.
• This includes one breed of cattle, two breeds each of goat and sheep, three breeds of pig, and one breed of chicken.
• After including these newly registered breeds, total number of indigenous breeds now in the country is 160, which include 40 for cattle, 13 for buffalo, 26 for goat, 42 for sheep, 6 for horses & ponies, 9 for camel, 6 for pig, 1 for donkey and 17 for chicken.

Reference:
http://www.nbagr.res.in/registeredbreed.html
http://www.cswri.res.in/sectiohttp://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Kenns_animal_biotechnology.asp
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Kendrapara-sheep-gets-rare-status/articleshow/53140281.cms?