Why In The News?

• The mithun, also known as the gayal (Bos frontalis), is a semi-wild type of cattle traditionally raised by hill tribes.
• For the first time, this animal has been recorded in Assam, which is an important discovery in animal science.
• Previously, mithuns were only thought to live in the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
• This new finding shows that mithuns are also present in the Dima Hasao district of central Assam.

Where Are Mithuns Found?

=> Historically, mithuns were mostly found in specific areas of northeast India:

• Arunachal Pradesh: Home to 350,154 mithuns
• Nagaland: 23,123 mithuns
• Manipur: 9,059 mithuns
• Mizoram: 3,975 mithuns

=> However, experts have recently found more than 200 mithuns in the remote areas of Laisong, Langting, and Thaijuwari in Assam.

=> This discovery expands our understanding of where these animals live.

Challenges in Finding:

=> Mithuns In the past, mithuns were not correctly identified in livestock surveys.

=> Census workers often labeled them as “others,” which caused these animals to be overlooked in official livestock records.

=> It wasn’t until recent visits by specialists that the true number of mithuns in Assam was recognized.

Health Concerns and Farmer Support:

• Like other domesticated cattle, mithuns can suffer from diseases like foot-and-mouth disease.
• To help farmers who rear mithuns, educational programs have been launched.
• Recently, an awareness campaign provided farmers with tools and equipment to create semi-intensive rearing units and better manage their mithun herds.
• Mithuns play a crucial role in the lives of tribal communities in northeast India.
• They are important for their meat, milk, and agricultural uses.
• The discovery of mithuns in Assam could lead to new initiatives that improve the livelihoods of local farmers and increase agricultural diversity in the region.
• Further research and initiatives are planned to learn more about mithuns and how to support their farming.
• A more accurate count of mithuns will be part of the next livestock census, starting on September 1.
• The Dima Hasao Autonomous Council is also discussing ways to promote mithun farming, which could turn this discovery into a valuable resource for the region’s agriculture.