Bos Frontalis (Mithun): A Flagship Semi-Domesticated Mammal and Its Potential For ‘Mithun Husbandry’ Development in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Volume 1 - Issue 5

Shivaji Chavan¹*, Mothilal Yuvaraja² and Hirendra Nath Sarma²

Received: July 25, 2018;   Published: August 06, 2018

DOI: 10.32474/CDVS.2018.01.000122

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Abstract

Objective: To determine the current status and importance of implementation of rapid action plan for scientific rearing of ruminant bovine Bos frontalis in North East especially in Arunachal Pradesh.

Study Outline and Methods: In year 2017 formal structured and semi-structured interviews of local people were conducted to gather the information. Based on the information some models and suggestions for development of Mithun Husbandry are suggested as concrete measures, instead of its free range rearing or partial domestication.

Results: The Mithun have been proved as untamed potential of North East India but without any major action plan for its prevention from steady extinction. Some of the possible measures for domestication of Mithun are suggested to boost the economy of locals and India in Total.

Conclusion: Mithun is an untamed potential animal that need to be explored by scientific domestication before its slow and steady extinction in progress from NE states of India. Mithun popular name of Bos frontalis a hybrid ruminant bovine developed some 8000 years back still remained in semi-domesticated conditions and it is being used in all major four states of North East states India as a rich quality source of animal proteins in the beef form. Comparatively very scanty measures have been taken for its domestication in scientific and sustainable way that is possible by Mithun Husbandry development in large scale in the North East states. The Mithun have been proved as untamed potential of North East India but without any major action plan for its prevention from steady extinction. Some of the possible measures for domestication of Mithun are suggested to boost the economy of locals and India in Total.

Keywords: Bos Frontalis; Mithun; Arunachal Pradesh; India

Abstract| Introduction| Materials and Methods| Results and Discussion| Conclusion| Acknowledgement| References|