Traditional Method of Mithun Production System in Arunachal Pradesh

Mithun (Bos frontalis) is considered as a majestic Gold of Arunachal Pradesh because of its economic, socio-cultural, and religious importance. Three systems of rearing are practiced, free-range, tethering and lura systems. Free range system is the most prevalent method of rearing, followed by tethering system during treatment or introduction into new environment/ place or to tame the mithun. Lura system synchronizes agriculture cultivation system, where mithun are kept inside community-based enclosure to prevent crops raid. No extra shed is constructed for mithun, no provision of health care like vaccination or deworming, except few farmer vaccinated their mithun for FMD, no extra feeds are offered except for common salt. Breeding is done by natural mating under favorable condition in forest. Identification mark is done by ear notching. Fallow jhum is good source of 14 different kind of fodder for mithun, while some farmers practice of rejuvenation of fodder by burning dry biomass of hillock during dry season (November-December). Tenant system of caring mithun is followed, as a dual owner of mithun, the tenants get one calf after every two calves born for absolute owner of mithun. Due to tenants system of caring and exchange of mithun during bridal gift within inter village to inter district practices may reduce inbreeding depression along with conducive, vast grazing forest area. These three factors are the reason for continuous increasing in mithun population in Arunachal, in contrast to decline mithun population in other state. 90.6 per cent of mithun population of India is found in Arunachal. There is need to inculcate the scientific ways to improve production potential of certain Research Centre or Sub Centre on Mithun may be established in Arunachal Pradesh for livelihood improvement of tribal society of Arunachal Pradesh.