What is the common examiner trap about Environment in UPSC exams?

Examiners may swap the vulnerability order: buffaloes are more vulnerable than cattle (not the other way). Also, the threshold is temperature >38°C AND humidity >70% (both conditions, not just one). Indigenous cattle (Sahiwal, Hariana) are heat-tolerant, not all cattle.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Environment for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 3.2 million tonnes annual milk loss (₹2,661 crore); 15 million tonnes projected by 2050s; 1.4 litres/day loss per buffalo per unit evapotranspiration. 2. Target this Nodal Body: ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (lead researchers); also Environmental Defense Fund India. 3. Target this Legal Point: No specific legal provision, but policies for in-situ conservation of indigenous breeds and climate-smart dairy strategy are highlighted.

EnvironmentAgriculture

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News 8 of 26

Climate Change Cuts Milk Yield in Haryana: Buffalo Loss 1.4 Litres/Day, Study Warns 25% Drop by 2085

Q: Which institution led the research on climate change impact on milk production in Haryana?

ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, The study was authored by researchers from ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute and other collaborating institutions, as mentioned in the article. The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources identified heat-tolerance traits but did not lead the study.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the impact of climate change on milk production in India: 1. Buffaloes are more vulnerable to heat stress than indigenous cattle due to fewer sweat glands and darker skin. 2. High temperatures above 38°C alone, without high humidity, significantly reduce milk yield. 3. Indigenous breeds like Sahiwal and Hariana show better heat tolerance due to traits such as loose skin and lower metabolic heat production. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: buffaloes have fewer sweat glands and darker skin, making them more vulnerable. Statement 2 is incorrect: the study found that high temperatures (>38°C) in combination with high humidity (>70%) significantly reduce milk yield, not temperature alone. Statement 3 is correct: indigenous breeds have adaptations like loose skin, efficient sweating, and lower metabolic heat. Hence option C is correct.

Q: According to the study published in Scientific Reports, what is the current annual milk loss in India due to climate-induced heat stress?

3.2 million tonnes, The study estimates that current heat stress leads to a loss of 3.2 million tonnes of milk, worth ₹2,661 crore. The 15 million tonnes figure is the projected loss by the 2050s. Options A and C are distractors not mentioned in the article.

Q: What is the primary reason indigenous cattle breeds like Sahiwal are more resilient to climate change compared to buffaloes?

They have more sweat glands, loose skin, and lower metabolic heat production., The article explicitly states that indigenous cattle have more advanced evaporative cooling (efficient sweating), loose skin, and lower metabolic heat production, which help them maintain homeostasis under heat stress. Option A is incorrect; milk yield is comparable. Option C is not mentioned; they are found in the same region. Option D is not a genetic trait.

Environment Agriculture Social IssuesHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

06 Jul 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:3.2 million tonnes annual milk loss₹2,661 crore monetary loss15 million tonnes projected loss by 2050s1.4 litres/day loss per buffalo per unit evapotranspirationTemperature >38°CHumidity >70%

Bodies:ICAR-National Dairy Research InstituteEnvironmental Defense Fund IndiaNational Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Study published in Scientific Reports (2004-2019) covering 1,148 villages in Haryana: 4.66M cross-bred cattle, 2.86M indigenous cattle, 35.56M buffaloes.

2.High temperatures (>38°C) + high humidity (>70%) in July-August significantly reduce milk yield; buffaloes lose 1.4 litres/day per unit increase in evapotranspiration.

3.Indigenous breeds (Sahiwal, Hariana) show better heat tolerance due to loose skin, efficient sweating, and lower metabolic heat; conservation key for climate resilience.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

A new study in Scientific Reports links climate change to a sharp decline in milk production across India's trans-Gangetic plains, especially among buffaloes. With potential milk losses of 3.2 million tonnes annually (₹2,661 crore) and projections of 15 million tonnes by 2050s, the findings highlight the urgent need for heat-tolerant indigenous breeds and climate-smart dairy policies.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Study Published InScientific Reports

Study AreaHaryana (trans-Gangetic plains)

Study Period2004-2019

Buffalo Population Studied35.56 million

Cross-bred Cattle Studied4.66 million

Indigenous Cattle Studied2.86 million

Milk Loss Annually (current)3.2 million tonnes

Monetary Loss (current)₹2,661 crore

Projected Milk Loss by 2050s15 million tonnes

Heat ThresholdsTemp >38°C, Humidity >70%

Buffalo Yield Drop per unit evapotranspiration1.4 litres/day

Expected Drop by 2085 (Lancet)25% reduction in Indian milk production

Smallholder Dairy Farmers80 million (85% of total production)

1-Minute Revision

›Study Published In: Scientific Reports
›Study Area: Haryana (trans-Gangetic plains)
›Target this Data: 3.2 million tonnes annual milk loss (₹2,661 crore); 15 million tonnes projected by 2050s; 1.4 litres/day loss per buffalo per unit evapotranspiration.
›Target this Nodal Body: ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (lead researchers); also Environmental Defense Fund India.
›Target this Legal Point: No specific legal provision, but policies for in-situ conservation of indigenous breeds and climate-smart dairy strategy are highlighted.

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News Snapshot

🐄

Heat Stress & Milk Yield

High temperature (>38°C) and humidity (>70%) during July-August cause a 20-30% decline in milk yield as animals divert energy from production to thermoregulation.

🐃

Buffaloes Most Vulnerable

Buffaloes have fewer sweat glands and darker skin; a unit increase in evapotranspiration reduces milk yield by 1.4 litres/buffalo/day.

🌿

Indigenous Cattle: Climate Resilient

Sahiwal and Hariana breeds are more heat-tolerant due to loose skin, efficient sweating, and lower metabolic heat; conservation is critical for future breeding programs.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

India is the world's largest milk producer, but the trans-Gangetic plains of Haryana—a key production zone—are experiencing a climate-induced decline. The study analyzed 15 years of data (2004-2019) from 1,148 villages, covering 35.56 million buffaloes, 4.66 million cross-bred cattle, and 2.86 million indigenous cattle. This is the first large-scale assessment linking evapotranspiration and temperature-humidity index to milk yield in the region.

Core Analysis & Implications

High temperatures (>38°C) combined with high humidity (>70%) during summer and monsoon months significantly reduce milk production. Buffaloes are especially affected due to fewer sweat glands and darker skin, absorbing more solar radiation. The study found that a unit increase in potential evapotranspiration reduces buffalo milk yield by 1.4 litres/day. Cross-bred cattle also show productivity decline during heatwaves, while indigenous breeds (Sahiwal, Hariana) demonstrate better tolerance. Stress hormones and raised cortisol levels impair milk ejection, leading to yield drops and even mortality. Fodder quality and quantity also suffer, compounding losses. Current annual milk loss is 3.2 million tonnes (₹2,661 crore), projected to rise to 15 million tonnes by the 2050s.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The study recommends integrating potential evapotranspiration and temperature-humidity index into regional early warning systems for proactive management. Long-term climate resilience should prioritize thermo-tolerant breeding programs leveraging Bos indicus traits (e.g., heat shock proteins, coat color). Indigenous breeds must be conserved in-situ as reservoirs of climate-resilient traits. Farmer-led breed improvement programs and a coordinated national climate-smart dairy strategy are urgently needed, especially for 80 million smallholder farmers who contribute 85% of India's milk.

Key Facts at a Glance

Study Published InScientific Reports

Study AreaHaryana (trans-Gangetic plains)

Study Period2004-2019

Buffalo Population Studied35.56 million

Cross-bred Cattle Studied4.66 million

Indigenous Cattle Studied2.86 million

Milk Loss Annually (current)3.2 million tonnes

Monetary Loss (current)₹2,661 crore

Projected Milk Loss by 2050s15 million tonnes

Heat ThresholdsTemp >38°C, Humidity >70%

Buffalo Yield Drop per unit evapotranspiration1.4 litres/day

Expected Drop by 2085 (Lancet)25% reduction in Indian milk production

Smallholder Dairy Farmers80 million (85% of total production)

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which institution led the research on climate change impact on milk production in Haryana?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the impact of climate change on milk production in India:

1. Buffaloes are more vulnerable to heat stress than indigenous cattle due to fewer sweat glands and darker skin.

2. High temperatures above 38°C alone, without high humidity, significantly reduce milk yield.

3. Indigenous breeds like Sahiwal and Hariana show better heat tolerance due to traits such as loose skin and lower metabolic heat production.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

According to the study published in Scientific Reports, what is the current annual milk loss in India due to climate-induced heat stress?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the primary reason indigenous cattle breeds like Sahiwal are more resilient to climate change compared to buffaloes?

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Climate Change Cuts Milk Yield in Haryana: Buffalo Loss 1.4 Litres/Day, Study Warns 25% Drop by 2085

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Heat Stress & Milk Yield

Buffaloes Most Vulnerable

Indigenous Cattle: Climate Resilient

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance