Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR) is the nodal agency responsible for the characterization, registration, and conservation of newly identified livestock and poultry breeds in India.
Each registered breed is assigned a unique accession number.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The registration of indigenous livestock and poultry breeds is a dynamic process, with new breeds added as they are characterized and validated by the Breed Registration Committee of ICAR.
Prior to recent registrations, the number of registered indigenous chicken breeds was lower.
As of August 2022, the officially registered and recognized native chicken breeds in India stood at 19.
These 19 breeds include historically well-known breeds like Aseel, Kadaknath, Karaknath, Busra, Chittagong, Daothigir, Danki, Ghagus, Harrarnhatta, Kalasasti, Nicobari, Punjab Brown, Tellicherry, Mewati, Miri, Nicobari, and others.
These breeds possess unique traits, such as disease resistance, heat tolerance, and distinctive meat or egg qualities (for example, the black meat of Kadaknath).
Therefore, Option (C) is the correct number of registered breeds for that period.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The number of registered native chicken breeds in India as of August 2022 is 19.