What is Magra sheep?
[[Image:Magra Sheep Flock.JPG|thumb|Magra Sheep Flock.]] The '''Magra sheep''', also known as '''Bikaneri Chokhla''' or '''Chakri''' and formerly known as the Bikaneri, is a breed of sheep that is found in the [[Bikaner]], [[Nagaur]], [[Jaisalmer]] and [[Churu district]]s of [[Rajasthan]], of modern [[Republic of India]] ('''[[Western India]]'''). The Magra sheep is known as the only lustrous carpet wool-producing breed. The most important strain of Magra has flocks with extremely white and lustrous fleece, which can only be found in a few villages around Bikaner. A breeding program aims to improve this breed through selection. The breeders, [[wool]] traders, and industrialists in Bikaner have expressed serious concern at the rapid decline in numbers of Magra sheep. Moreover, the number of purebreds is decreasing due to cross-breeding with other breeds in the area, and consequently there is a serious need for conservation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/X6532E/X6532E02.htm#ch2.2.4 |title=Sheep and goat breeds of india |publisher=Fao.org |date= |accessdate=2013-09-08}}</ref> They are considered as the ''“National Sheep of India”''. ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Biology-stub}} [[Category:Domesticated animals]] [[Category:National symbols of India]] [[Category:Animals of India]] [[Category:Sheep]]