Buffalo Bulletin (March 2014) Vol.33 No.1 88 ABSTRACT The aim of present study was to observe the health status, prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites, haematological parameter, yield and quality of milk of migratory buffaloes reared by the gujjars communities in high altitude regions of the Himalayas before and after standard anthelmentic treatments. Heavy infections of gastro-intestinal parasites (75%) was observed in the migratory buffaloes with Amphiostome spp. (53.33%), Fasciola spp. (33.30%) and mixed infection (13.32%). The haematological analysis revealed lower values of haemoglobin (10.00 ± 0.76 g%) and packed cell volume (28.00 ± 1.15%). An average milk production of 5.83 ± 1.11 L / day was recorded. The average content of fat, total solids and solids not fat in milk obtained from these buffaloes in percent was 6.45 ± 0.78, 16.04 ± 0.91 and 9.60 ± 0.76, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative variations were recorded in the milk samples. After standard anthelmentic treatment with fenbendazole 7.5 mg/kg body weight, the migratory buffaloes recovered 100 percent with two doses fortnightly with nearly normal haematological parameters and an average increase in milk yield (0.335 ± 0.014 L / day) along with an increase in milk fat, total solids and solids not fat (0.21 ± 0.55%, 0.34 ± 0.80% and 0.13 ± 0.79% respectively). Finally it is concluded that proper anthelmentic treatments will enhance the health and production status resulting in better economic returns to farmers. However, the migratory gujjars need to be sensitized regularly to the need for adopting these anthelmentic practices. Keywords: migratory buffaloes, gujjars, gastro- intestinal parasites, anthelmentic treatments, haematological value, milk production INTRODUCTION The district Chamba of Himachal Pradesh represents a hill and mountain agro-ecosystem with a temperate climate (north latitude 32° 11΄ 30″ and 33° 13΄ 6″ and east longitude 75°49 and 77° 3΄ 30”) and has a great potential for livestock development. Animal husbandry is the main occupation of the farming communities in this region. Migratory buffaloes are the main important milk production EFFECTIVE PARASITIC MANAGEMENT OF MIGRATORY BUFFALOES FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS IN A FRAGILE ECO-SYSTEM IN THE NORTH-WESTERN HIMALAYAS P. Sharma 1 , A. Sharma 2 , B.G. Mane 3 , D. Thakur 2 and S. Katoch 2 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University (CSK HPKV), Palampur-176 062 (Himachal Pradesh), India, E-mail: docpradeepsharma@gmail.com 2 Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University (CSK HPKV), Palampur-176 062 (Himachal Pradesh), India 3 Department of Livestock Products Technology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University (CSK HPKV), Palampur-176 062 (Himachal Pradesh), India Original Article