International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE www.ijlr.org Vol 3(2) May’13 Page135 Seasonal Occurrence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Sheep of Kashmir Division Iram Mushtaq Lone, M.Maroof.Shah, Asif Iqbal, M.Ashraf. Baba, Abeen Sakina, Nighat Wafai, Shugufta Nasreen Disease Investigation Laboratory Nowhsera Srinagar, Department of Sheep Husbandry Kashmir India Rec.Date: Mar 18, 2013 10:01; Accept Date: May 09, 2013 21:34 Abstract The study was carried out through the period from April 2010 to April 2012 in both organised and unorganised sector of Kashmir valley. The aim of the study was to compare seasonal prevalence of Helminthes of gastrointestinal tract in Sheep. A total of 5836 feacal samples were randomly collected from organised and unorganised sectors of sheep, revealed overall prevalence of 51.21%. The most common prevalent nematodes were Strongyle group of worms. Among cestodes, Moneizia and Avitellina were reported. Among trematodes, Fasciola, Dicrocoelium, Amphistomes and, Paramphistomum were most prevalent. The highest prevalence of helminth parasites was recorded during spring season (60.34%) and lowest in winter (42.86%). The study indicates the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthic infections varies in different seasons. Key words: Helminthes of gastrointestinal tract, Sheep, Prevalence Introduction Sheep is unique to the economy of the Kashmir for its wool, mutton, hides and manure. The typical extensive and trans-human (migratory) managemental system of domestic animals in Kashmir, especially sheep, gives it a specific significance to be studied in depth regarding animal adaptability to the extremes of the environment Gupta (1994). About 14 lac people mainly comprising of Gujjar, Bakerwals, Chopans and Marginal farmers are involved in rearing of sheep and goats in the state. Gastrointestinal parasitism is one of the major health problems severely limiting the productivity of dairy animals in the Himalayan and other hilly regions of India Jithendran and Bhat (1999). Parasitic infections especially gastro intestinal nematode and trematode pose a serious health threat and limit the productivity of livestock due to the associated morbidity, mortality, cost of treatment and control measures Nwosu, et al (2007), Raza et al (2010) and Lashari and Tasawar (2011). The prevalence of helminths of small ruminants results in low productivity due to stunted growth, poor weight gain and poor feed utilization (Pedreira, et al (2006). Helminthiasis adversely affects ruminants causing hematological, biochemical disturbances, anorexia, weight loss, poor reproductive performance, and even death of lambs Khajuria and Kapoor (2003), Hussain and Usmani (2006). Studies from different parts of world indicate that variation in the prevalence of parasitic infection from region to region is largely due to climatic