AALO, 1 Sep: The Tani Ao Mithun Farmers’ Welfare Society (TAMFWS) has appealed to the state government to bring a legislation to control wild dog predation on mithun, as well as to enhance the compensation for mithuns killed by wild animals.
The society said that it has submitted a memorandum to the chief minister in this regard through MLA Topin Ete during the 3rd Mithun Day celebration here in West Siang district on Monday.
The society also urged the government, among other things, to include fodder plants in afforestation schemes, and provide assistance for ‘lura’ construction and dedicated schemes for mithuns.
The TAMFWS proposed that Medziphema (Nagaland)-based NRC on Mithun conducts research on integrated mithun-orange farming, and sought support for lura construction.
Ete praised the efforts of the TAMFWS and NRC on Mithun, and assured that
the memorandum would be forwarded to the chief minister for necessary action.
The MLA stressed the importance of balanced development while preserving the culture and traditions of tribal societies. He noted that mithun holds a special place in tribal life, and assured the farmers that their grievances would be conveyed to the government for early action.
West Siang Deputy Commissioner Liyi Bagra urged the mithun farmers to “adopt remedial measures for sustainable mithun rearing,” highlighting the animal’s vital role in ensuring livelihood security. The DC encouraged the farmers to practice stall feeding and cultivate Napier-6 grass, known as one of the fastest-growing fodders for mithuns. He said that the mithun population can only be increased through scientific and commercial rearing practices.
The DC also appealed to the farmers to ensure timely vaccination of their animals.
DFO Gopin Padu informed the gathering that Asiatic wild dogs sometimes create problems for mithuns by killing them. Padu, however, discouraged hunting of wild animals, saying that the government provides compensation for killed mithuns.
Dr Kezhavitou Vupru, chief technical officer, representing the NRC on Mithun, urged the mithun farmers to gain mithun rearing training from the Mithun Rearing Centre based in Medziphema, and stated that every requirement for mithun farming would be issued from the NRC Medziphema to encourage the mithun farmers of Siang belt. He stated that the two-point memorandum submitted would be considered.
DVO Dr Dagge Riba urged the farmers to get their mithuns and other domestic animals vaccinated on time to protect them from foot and mouth disease and other disorders.
Earlier, TAMFWS chairman Hortum Loyi highlighted the objective of celebrating Mithun Day and the importance of mithun farming in the area.
“According to 2019 mithun census, 3,90,000 mithuns are found in India. Out of that, 91% are found in Arunachal Pradesh,” he said.
TAMFWS president Limi Ete opined that more than 10 mithuns should not be sacrificed during marriage ceremonies.
Mithnu farmers from Siang, West Siang, and Leparada districts highlighted the challenges faced by them.
More than 1,000 participants, including mithun farmers, PRI leaders, and GBs from the three districts participated in the programme, which was organized jointly by the TAMFWS and the NRC on Mithun, in collaboration with the ICAR RC for NEH Region, AP Centre, Basar, and the state Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development Department GoAP. (With DIPRO input)
