The main occupation in India is agriculture and livestock sector is an integral part of agriculture with a share of per cent in its GDP. For sustained production of livestock products, animals must reproduce and produce efficiently. However, there are numerous factors that negatively affect the efficiency of animals. At present, climate change is considered as major factor affecting performance of dairy animals. Exposure of animals to excessive environmental stress causes a marked depression in milk production and reproduction and ultimately lowers the income of dairy farmers. An annual loss of approximately 2 per cent occurs due to heat stress in India. Moreover, the incidence of anestrus and silent ovulation is increased with drastic decrease in pregnancy and calving rates in summer season. Therefore, the current review paper is focused on the impacts of climate change on livestock production, food security, sector’s contribution of livestock to climate change and adaptation cum mitigation strategies.
