Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

Added to this is the change occurring in the faunal wealth in the region. It has been
observed that a number of areas probably served as grazing lands for an agrarian
population which also did cattle keeping. A number of families still keep cattle, but the
grazing lands for the maintenance of cattle have disappeared, and he cattle keepers have
to depend on the parambas and available open spaces, and sometimes, even roads. There
is a visible decline in the number of bullocks and he- buffaloes, presumably because
bullocks are no longer used for agricultural operations, and bullock carts have
disappeared. Cows are still maintained by several households, mostly for the production
of milk. Sheep and goats are also similarly maintained. Maintenance of cows is feasible
as they can be reproduced by artificial insemination. Cattle are bought from the cattle
market at Chelari, but the purchase seems to be mainly for milk production and
consumption. There is an increase in the maintenance of poultry, which is once again for
the purposes of consumption, as eggs, like milk yield a price. The overall impression one
gains is that there has been a remarkable change in the maintenance of faunal wealth.
Their function in production has practically disappeared, and there is emphasis in their
sustenance for consumption, as well as the marketability of their products. A few
households keep them as pets; this ‘modern’ practice is yet to catch up in this area.
The trends are seen in the livestock figures from some Panchayats collected while
walking