The Bargur buffalo is a small hill buffalo of the Bargur hills in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, known locally as malai erumai, "the hill buffalo" (NBAGR database). It lives on forest grazing and is kept for manure and for milk used at home. NBAGR registers it as one of Tamil Nadu's two buffalo breeds, with the Toda buffalo (breed register).
How to recognise it
- Colour: brown to brownish black; ICAR-CIRB describes coats from black to light brown (NBAGR database, ICAR-CIRB). The muzzle and eyelids are black, the tail switch brownish black and the hooves grey (NBAGR database).
- Stockings: many have greyish-white "stockings" on the legs, mostly the females (ICAR-CIRB).
- Horns: curved backwards and inwards; medium-sized in males, medium to long in females (NBAGR database).
- Size: small and short; ICAR-CIRB calls it the smallest Indian buffalo breed (ICAR-CIRB). Males stand about 108 cm and females about 103 cm at the shoulder (NBAGR database).
What it is good for
- Milk for the home. It gives little milk, about 1.5–2 litres a day (NBAGR database), or about 400–700 kg in a lactation of 200–240 days (ICAR-CIRB). The milk is rich, with about 8.6% fat, and families use it mainly as curd and buttermilk (NBAGR database).
- Manure. NBAGR lists manure and milk as its two main uses (NBAGR database).
- A hardy hill animal. It is adapted to hilly forest country and lives on grazing alone (NBAGR database, ICAR-CIRB).
- Calving. One calf at a time; the first at about 46–52 months, then one about every 16–18 months (NBAGR database).
Where it is mainly found
The breed is named after the Bargur hills of Anthiyur taluk in Erode district (NBAGR database). NBAGR's record places it in the hamlets of Bargur village in Anthiyur taluk and in Gundri and Kadambur villages of Sathyamangalam taluk, both in Erode district (NBAGR database). It is a small population: about 2,000 animals were counted in 2009 (NBAGR database). Local hill communities rear it (ICAR-CIRB).
Looking for Bargur buffalo?
See buffalo ads in the districts where Bargur buffalo come from, or search “Bargur” in the Kattutharai app to find them near you. The seller names the breed and Kattutharai does not check it, so look at the animal yourself before you pay.
Buffalo ads in its home districts, 1 Nov 2026:
Rearing tips
- Forest grazing. Bargur buffaloes are kept only on grazing in the forest (NBAGR database). At night they stay in an enclosure next to the farmer's house, or in fenced pens on harvested fields (NBAGR database).
- A breed for the hills. ICAR-CIRB says it suits hilly, semi-wild management (ICAR-CIRB).
- Health. Forest herds still need their vaccinations: follow the calendar in buffalo health, with your vet.
Buying tips
- Few are sold. The breed is small in number and kept in a few hill villages. Ask your veterinary hospital in Erode district about genuine animals.
- Check the signs. A true Bargur buffalo is small and brown to brownish black, often with greyish-white stockings, and has horns that curve back and in (NBAGR database, ICAR-CIRB). A big, jet-black buffalo with tightly curled horns is a Murrah or a Murrah cross.
- The breed name in an ad is the seller's word, and Kattutharai does not check it. Crosses are common, so see the animal and its herd yourself, and follow buying a buffalo.
- Do not mix it up with Bargur cattle, the hill cattle breed of the same hills (TANUVAS).
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bargur buffalo the same as Bargur cattle?
No. Both come from the Bargur hills of Erode, but Bargur cattle are a cattle breed (TANUVAS), while the Bargur buffalo is a separate buffalo breed registered by NBAGR (breed register). See Bargur cattle: breed, weight and where it is found.
How much milk does a Bargur buffalo give?
About 1.5–2 litres a day, with about 8.6% fat (NBAGR database); it is kept mostly for milk used at home.
What does malai erumai mean?
"Hill buffalo": malai means hills and erumai means buffalo. It is the breed's local name (NBAGR database).
Next
Tamil Nadu's other registered buffalo breed is the Toda of the Nilgiris. See all breeds in Buffalo farming: breeds, buying and care in South India. To find buffaloes near you, browse buffaloes for sale.