GUWAHATI: Assam has recorded the mithun (Bos frontalis) for the first time, generations after the semi-wild gaur-like animal began to be reared by tribals in the state’s hill district of Dima Hasao.
During past livestock censuses, the enumerators recorded the animal in the column of “others” and the government had no idea about its presence.
Mithun is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and found also in the hills of Mizoram and Manipur. It is primarily reared for its meat.
Bhairab K Kakati, Additional Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department (Hills), told The New Indian Express that a team had spotted the animal during a visit to the three remote villages of Laisong, Langting and Thaijuwari in Dima Hasao on August 21.
Scientists from the Nagaland-based ICAR-National Research Centre on the mithun were part of the team. The villages that the team visited are inhabited by Zeme Nagas and located 70-80 km from district headquarters Haflong.
“We saw 35-40 mithuns. During past livestock censuses, the enumerators would record cattle, pigs, buffalos and goats. They recorded mithuns as ‘others’. They were perhaps not properly trained and mithun was never reported,” Kakati said.
Quoting villagers, he said the villages had a large population of the animal but their numbers declined with time.
“The geographical diversions are such that it will take time for us to estimate their population. We also lack manpower. The next livestock census is starting on September 1. We thought if we can lay focus on the animal during the census, people will come forward with details,” Kakati said.
He said inbreeding would remain a challenge but the discovery might boost eco-tourism as people visit Dima Hasao during the summer months to get respite from heat.
“The Assam mithun appears not similar to the Nagaland mithun. When it is established, we can give it a nomenclature,” he added.
Dr Girish Patil, Director of ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, termed the discovery as a “historic moment for Assam”. “The presence of mithun in Dima Hasao opens up new avenues for sustainable agriculture and rural development,” he said.
According to the last census carried out in 2019, India has a mithun population of 3,86,311.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India recognized mithun as a meat animal on September 1 last year. The day will be celebrated as Mithun Day in the Northeast.