Intensive Sheep Development project was established in 1973 with the sole aim of improving the production capability of small animals viz Sheep and Goat in Kargil District. Both the department Animal and Sheep Husbandry worked jointly as Sheep Cum Animal Husbandry department at Ladakh Region, later in 1982 the departments were bifurcated and Sheep Husbandry Department started its independent work under project officer ISD District Kargil.
As per census conducted by the I/C Sheep Ext. Centres, The Sheep and Goat population of this District for the year 2014-15 is under:
Sheep 191784
Goats 117766
As per the census during 2014-15 conducted by the In-charge Sheep Ext. Centre of the (covered area only) of this organization are as under:
| S.No | Name of Block | No of Centre | Population | Breed-able Stock | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep | Goats | Sheep ewes | Goats Does | |||
| 1 | Drass | 10 Nos | 19673 | 7285 | 7002 | 3503 |
| 2 | Kargil | 9 Nos | 21494 | 16164 | 8445 | 6409 |
| 3 | TSG | 6 Nos | 15332 | 9308 | 7705 | 4111 |
| 4 | Sankoo | 6 Nos | 16639 | 11218 | 6344 | 4665 |
| 5 | Taisuru | 6 Nos | 12801 | 7527 | 4733 | 2572 |
| 6 | Shargole | 4 Nos | 19637 | 20022 | 9922 | 10383 |
| 7 | Chiktan | 7 Nos | 14608 | 23244 | 7589 | 11184 |
| 8 | Zanskar | 5 Nos | 71600 | 22998 | 15240 | 9710 |
| Total | 53 Nos | 191784 | 117766 | 66980 | 52537 | |
| Karakul Sheep | Merino Sheep | Pashmina Goats | Alpine Goats | Angora Goats | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.416 lacs | 0.415 | 0.187 | 0.016 | 0.077 | 1.111 |
| S. No | Year | Production Wool | Mutton |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-15 | 0.45 lacs/Kgs | 14.05 lacs/Kgs |
The prolonged winter coupled with the blockade of Srinagar National high way gives rise to acute shortage of vegetable and animal protein. In order to cater the shortage of Animal proteins, the culling of the undesired/un- productive animal at in the Farm is under taken by the organization after obtained sanction from the District administration. This effort of the department provides some kind of solace to the public in the district which is being appreciated in the form of a contribution to some extent. However major part of the contribution in providing meat/mutton is attributed to the breeder community of the district who provides mutton for more than five winter months. In addition to the meat/mutton, the District produce 3.54 lacs/Kgs of wool with active participation of the department. The entire quantity of the wool is being utilized locally by converting wool in to the yarn and then to fabric. The utilization of the wool in the form of woolen fabrics serves as a sheet anchor to ward off extreme weather wiggeries
Keeping in view geo-climatic condition of the area, availability of fodder/pasture and interest of the breeders, different block of the district were earmarked for different breeding programme. The details are as under:
| S. No | Block | Breeding programme |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drass and Zanskar | Merino/Angora and Alpine |
| 2 | Kargil | Karakul, Alpine and Angora |
| 3 | GTS,Sankoo and Taisuru | Karakul |
| 4 | Sharkar Chiktan and Shargole | Karakul and Pashmina |
Stud Rams/Bucks are distributed among the progressive breeders of the district on permanent basis after executing an agreement with them for a period of Three years. The Rams/Bucks thus distributed are provided health coverage when an as needed by the department and the fodder is provided by the breeders of his own during the lien winter period, however grazing and after completion of Three years the animal become exclusive property of the breeder, and the scheme has remained successful and great demand is put forth by the breeders for issuing of more Rams/Bucks under this Scheme. 287 Rams / Bucks stands distributed among the progressive breeders of the district and only 55 Rams/Bucks are at the Karakul Sheep Farm Khumbathang, 36 CB Karakul Rams purchased from breeders during 2014-15 and 15 Merino Rams at Merino Sheep Farm Lakthang Drass. Out of rams distributed on permanent basis 528 rams bucks were deleted from flock book of the department during 2014-15 after completion of five/three years service with the breeders as per department norms.
