Dharamgarh sheep, a non-registered sheep breed native to the Dharamgarh block in western Odisha鈥檚 Kalahandi district, is gaining recognition for its unique traits and economic value. Locally known as the 鈥楧haramgarh Mendha鈥, it is a single-purpose breed traditionally reared by tribal communities for meat and is a vital source of their livelihood.The name 鈥楧haramgarh鈥 originates from the Dharamgarh block itself, reflecting its deep-rooted presence in the region. While not yet officially recognised as a registered breed, the Dharamgarh sheep鈥檚 unique physical characteristics and cultural relevance highlight the urgent need for conservation and genetic registration.For over four to five generations, farmers across the Dharamgarh block have been rearing this breed through oral traditions and practical knowledge passed down the family line. Today, in villages surrounding Dharamgarh block and its nearby animal market, many households maintain flocks of 16 to 35 sheep, grazing on open lands and forest fringes, with minimal external support.The Dharamgarh sheep breed is well suited to Kalahandi鈥檚 harsh hot climate. The breed is adapted to coarse grazing resources, strong survival instincts, and low input needs. It exhibits blackish-brown and brown coat colours. Most sheep, especially the ewes, have pendulous ears and convex head profiles, making them easy to distinguish from other local breeds such as the Balangir sheep. Males often have horns, usually small in size, while females are mostly hornless.Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN) collaborated with the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar to provide training on the identification, characterisation, and registration of native breeds in Odisha. The livestock experts of WASSAN developed data analysis and breed descriptors under the supervision of Sushant Kumar Dash, professor and head of Animal Genetics and Breeding at OUAT and Devender Kumar Sadana, a former scientist at the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources.Performance-wise, Dharamgarh sheep show a balanced growth rate, reaching body weight by one year and nearly 20 kilograms at adulthood. Although they are not prolific in reproduction, their overall lifetime lamb production is strong. This makes them a reliable source of income over time. Adult sheep weigh between 30 and 35 kg, with 20 kg live animals fetching around Rs 6,000, and meat selling for Rs 750 per kilogram, making the breed economically significant for smallholder farmers. These sheep are prominently sold during local festivals, especially during Nuakhai and Dussehra, when the price of meat surges.Voices from the community鈥淭he Dharamgarh sheep is like an ATM for us. We graze them on open lands without spending much. When we need money for farming, or emergencies, we sell two or three sheep easily at the local market and earn around Rs 12,000-Rs 15,000,鈥 said Benudhar Gopal, a farmer from Gadiajore village in Dharamgarh block..鈥淩earing Dharamgarh sheep has been part of our family tradition from our grandfather鈥檚 generation. Even with little investment, these sheep survive well and during festivals like Nuakhai and Dusshera. Selling just a few animals brings enough income to manage our household expenses and support our children鈥檚 education,鈥 said Hari Shankar Pari, a farmer from Parla village in Dharamgarh.Women in the region also play a significant role in managing and caring for the flocks. From herding to healthcare, their labour ensures the sustainability of the system. Sabitri Rout, a woman farmer from Kanagaon village in Dharamgarh, said, 鈥淚 have been looking after sheep since I got married. It gives us income and respect. During festivals, we sell two or three rams and use that money to buy our clothes and pay small debts. The sheep have paid for my children鈥檚 schooling and household expenses.鈥濃淔or the last 40 years, I have been rearing this breed of sheep. I have five ewes and three rams. I also have six lambs. I use the manures obtained from these sheep in my farm. I sell a sheep after it is 1-1.5 years old. If it is a castrated sheep, it could fetch us Rs10,000-Rs 12,000. And if it is an uncastrated sheep, its price could range between Rs 7,000 and Rs 8,000,鈥 said Saraboni Bagh from Pipla village in Dharamgarh block.鈥淲e have been rearing sheep for the past 10 years. I usually take them out to graze for food. We use their waste in the cultivation land. We castrate four to five-month-old rams so that their bodies are well-nourished, so that they get a good price at the time of sale. The sheep in our area have adapted to our environment for a long time. Sheep from outside will not be able to survive in our hot climatic area. They will suffer from diseases. So, we do not rear non-native breeds,鈥 said Astaram Majhi, a farmer from Pipla village in Dharamgarh..Sana Datta Vasuki Satyanarayana is a Livestock Expert at WASSAN, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.Sailaja Prasad Nayak is a Programme Officer-Livestock at WASSAN, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.Rinku Giri is a Programme Officer-Livestock at WASSAN, Ganjam, Odisha.Views expressed are the author鈥檚 own and don鈥檛 necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth