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Indian subcontinent is a rich source of diverse ovine germplasm, and only very few countries have such a large number of breeds with wide genetic diversity. Most of the breeds of sheep in India have evolved through natural adaptation to agro-ecological conditions, followed by some limited artificial selection for particular requirements. Most of the breeds have generally been named after their place of origin and on the basis of prominent characters. This vast ovine biodiversity in India is being eroded rapidly and more than 50% of sheep breeds are currently under threat. Sheep biodiversity in India is characterized by high degree of endemism and variations in agro climatic conditions of the different regions has led to the development of various breeds/strains that are well adapted to specific set of environmental conditions. These breeds have generally been named after their place of origin and some based on their prominent characteristics. Indigenous sheep contribute greatly to the agrarian economy, especially in areas where crop and dairy farming are not economical, and play an important role in the livelihood of a large proportion of small and marginal farmers and landless laborers. Conservation of genetic resources in developing countries is far more complex, because, in a vast majority of the cases, information about available genetic resources, their usefulness and need for and methods of conservation are not clear.
Keywords: Indigenous Sheep, India, Biodiversity, Characteristics features, Conservation