Mithun Conservation
The Mithun (Bos frontalis), a semi-domesticated bovine native to Northeast India, has gained renewed attention in 2025. Scientists and tribal farmers have jointly urged the Central government to include Mithun under key livestock development schemes such as the National Livestock Mission (NLM). This move aims to boost sustainable farming, conserve the species, and enhance tribal livelihoods in the region.
Ecological and Cultural Significance
Mithun is native to the Eastern Himalayan region and is deeply embedded in the socio-cultural life of tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and parts of Assam. It is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Besides cultural importance, Mithun provides high-quality meat and milk, contributing to food security in remote hill areas.
Population and Distribution
India hosts about 3.9 lakh Mithun, which is 95% of the global population. Arunachal Pradesh alone accounts for 91% of this number. Despite its limited range, the species is vital for the economy and ecology of the Northeast. However, the population is declining due to habitat loss, unscientific farming, and indiscriminate slaughter.
Current Policy Gaps
Mithun remains excluded from major central livestock schemes, limiting its access to scientific breeding, health care, financial support, and market development for farmers. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s National Research Centre on Mithun (ICAR-NRCM) has appealed for the species’ inclusion to promote research and sustainable management.
Conservation
The animal’s unique adaptation to subtropical and fly-infested environments makes it a valuable genetic resource. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists Mithun as a vulnerable species. Its conservation can support climate resilience and sustainable agriculture in the Eastern Himalaya. Inclusion in national schemes could enhance scientific rearing, value addition, and market access, boosting rural incomes.
Recent Developments
In 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recognised Mithun as a food animal. It is also listed in the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS). These recognitions underline Mithun’s growing importance at national and global levels.
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