**2. Nicobari pig**

extensive or free-range system with little amount of management. Mitogenome analysis revealed that this ALP can be evolved as an independent breed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as merit for registration as a recognised pig breed [8]. This pig group is under the condition of endanger and immediate preservation, conservation and propagation effort is very much needed to save the local breed of pig from extinction [7]. Pig production system is highly economical due to high production potential, fast growth rate, short generation interval, prolific fecundity, highly efficient carcass yield and higher adaptability to the different micro and macro environmental as well as the climatological conditions [9]. ALP is very well adapted and tolerable to the different tropical humid harsh environmental conditions with higher relative humidity, higher temperature as well as higher temperature humidity index. Further, these local indigenous Andaman local pigs are scavengers and also semi-wild in their behaviour or character. Andaman local pigs have very good maternal ability and are aggressive when farrowing or delivery. Although the ALPs have lower in their growth rate and reproductive and productive performances, it is highly liked by the rural tribal communities for supplementation of sufficient protein and income for the family. Pork production is essential especially in the Nicobar Islands than in the other part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. People of Nicobar group of Islands consume 70% of the pork produced in Andaman and Nicobar Islands while the rest of the islanders consume 30% of pork [2]. Wild pig of Andaman (*Sus scrofa andamanensis*) is a threatened endangered porcine germplasm of Andaman and Nicobar islands. Jarawa tribes prefer this wild pig as a protein source. It is black in colour, short legged, small to medium sized and a prolific breeder. Another pig group is crossbred, cross between Large White Yorkshire and Andaman local or Nicobari pig. This Nicobari breed exhibits early maturity, high growth rate and fecundity than other pig breeds. The Nicobari pig has high prolificacy as litter size is ranging from 8 to 10 numbers with good mothering ability and body weight of matured pig differs from 115 to 130 kg. This is highly suitable for commercial production of pork in this Andaman and Nicobar islands. However, the domestic pig breeds need to be protected in this Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Reorganisation and rearrangement of these pig breeds is significant for its conservation, preservation and propagation. Efforts have to be made to conserve this breed outside its breeding tract with different managemental condition. The chapter describes the different aspects of pigs namely, Nicobar pig, Andaman local pig,

**Habitat Status Adaptation Disease**

Endangered Adapted to hot and humid climate of Andaman islands

Adapted to hot and humid climate of Nicobar islands

Adapted to hot and humid climate of Nicobar islands **resistance**

Acquired Resistance to common pig diseases

Acquired Resistance to common pig diseases

Acquired Resistance to common pig diseases

**Management**

Backyard pig production system

Backyard and intensive pig production system

Completely scavenging Feral

**Common name**

Nicobari pig

Andaman local pig

Andaman wild pig

**Table 3.**

**208**

**Scientific name**

*Landraces - Traditional Variety and Natural Breed*

*Sus scrofa nicobaricus*

*Sus scrofa andamanensis*

*Status of pigs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands [4].*

*Sus domesticus* Nicobar group of islands

Andaman group of islands

Andaman group of islands

Notendangered

Notendangered

Nicobari pig (*Sus scrofa nicobaricus*), locally known as Ha-un and is reared by Nicobari tribes in Nicobar group of Islands. Majority of the pigs in the Nicobar group of islands are Nicobari pigs. The total area of Nicobar group of islands is 1841 square km which lies between 6° and 10° North latitude and it comprises of 19 islands, of which, important islands are Car Nicobar, Chowra, Teressa, Nancowrie, Little Nicobar and Great Nicobar. A small population of Nicobari pig are reared by Nicobari tribes on Little Andaman (Nicobari settlement area at Harminder Bay) Island [10–12]. The registered unique Nicobari indigenous pig is considered as a sign of integrity and wellbeing of the Nicobari tribes in this Andaman and Nicobar island territories. Nicobari pig is considered as an endemic in the island region; however, this pig is still in the domestication process as witnessed by phenotypic expression and are generally believed as it has originated from Eurasian wild boar (*Sus scrofa*) and also believed that *Nicobaricus* as a Nicobar regional specific subspecies and are called generally as "Nicobari Pig" [11]. These pigs are available since immemorial time with primitive tribes of these Andaman and Nicobar islands. Nicobari means 'eating pork'. Pig growing is very common, preferred and custom within the Nicobari tribes and which provides as an essential source of animal rich protein [13]. Nicobari Pigs are reared exclusively by Nicobari tribes in Nicobar group of islands and create a well defined socio-economic-ecological status of their tribal society. Pig rearing has always been an integral part of the rich cultural traditions of the Nicobarese Tribes [14]. Pigs are treated as an asset and bring prestige to the joint family of Nicobarese. In Nicobari society, religion, custom, festivals and social status, the pig occupies a prominent place. Of which, pigs constitute the major portion of their economy. The economic prosperity of a family, village and its position in the island is judged by the number of pigs as they have in a village or lineage. As such *Nicobarese* maintain a large number of pigs that are freely roaming in their settlement as well as in mature coconut plantation. Nicobari pigs have well adapted to the tropical humid island ecosystem in physiological and anatomical over the long period of the times and express their potential very well under the integrated farming (plantation based) production system in Andaman and Nicobar Islands [12]. In overview, the male Nicobari pig is very much temperament (nervousness) than his counterpart of female pigs and to catch the male pigs at least ten people are needed. However, the Nicobari sows are very calm and could be managed easily with the Nicobari tribal women. Ill-treatment or misbehaviour of the same is treated as serious offence. In case, any Nicobari or outsider hit or beat the pig, then their tribal village Council deals the matter sternly and the same treatment was given to the person concerned and impose handsome amount of fine to prevent repeat of the act [15].
