By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
In the eastern foothills of India's Himalayas, the mithun a sacred cattle species faces threats from deforestation and climate change. Yet, innovative measures by the indigenous Adi community, including "living fences," are making strides in protecting these endangered animals and their habitat.
A Day in the Life of a Mithun Herder
Livestock farmer Yang Ering Moyong, a 39 year old mother of two from the Adi tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, is the sole female herder in her village of Mirem. Each morning, she dons her baggy attire and heads into the dense shrubbery, calling out to her mithuns to return from the woods. Her journey into mithun herding began eight years ago after the death of her husband, taking on a challenging role traditionally dominated by men. "In 2013, my in laws had 50 mithuns, but wild dogs ate nearly half. I had to sell some due to crop damage they caused in other farms," Moyong shares. Balancing her role as a herder and a state appointed educator teaching entrepreneurial skills to women, she faces significant financial burdens. "In 2019 alone, I paid Rs 40,000 for crop damage from wandering mithuns, making it tough to support my family on my educator salary of Rs 12,000," she adds.
To mitigate these challenges, Moyong and her community have constructed "living fences" made from barbed wire and orchid tree stumps, forming a barrier along the Himalayan foothills. These fences help prevent the mithuns from straying, protecting crops and reducing conflicts. The Adi community considers the mithuns sacred, with their existence tied to the divine creation myth involving Dadi Bote, the god of animals. During the annual Solung festival, prayers are offered to Dadi Bote for the protection and proliferation of the mithuns.
The construction of these fences has not only helped in controlling the mithun population's movements but has also eased Moyong's financial strain. "Since the fences were installed, I no longer worry about my mithuns wandering into other fields," she says. Despite the challenges, including occasional submergence of the fences during heavy rains, the community remains committed to maintaining these barriers, reinforcing them with tree planting to ensure their durability.
Challenges and Solutions in Mithun Conservation
Mithuns, classified as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), thrive in the forests and hilly terrains of northeast India, where they play a crucial role in the ecosystem. They aid in seed dispersal and nutrient cycling through their foraging and manure. However, rising temperatures and human activities like deforestation are threatening their habitat. A 2011 study predicts significant temperature increases and more extreme rainfall events in the region by 2050, which could reduce food availability and increase diseases like foot and mouth among mithuns.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has been pivotal in addressing these challenges. In collaboration with the Adi community, ICAR introduced durable "living fences" and bamboo night shelters for mithuns and their calves. These measures have not only reduced straying incidents but have also contributed to the growth of the mithun population. According to a 2020 report, the mithun population in Tening village, Nagaland, increased from 50 in 2016 to 70 in 2020, with farmers earning significant profits.
While the fences have been effective, they come with their own set of challenges. Establishing these protected units can be costly, and more government funding is required to scale up the initiative. Additionally, the threat of attacks by wild predators like Asiatic wild dogs remains a concern. ICAR scientists are exploring solutions, such as keeping mithun calves in separate enclosures with milk alternatives until they are old enough to fend for themselves.
Despite these hurdles, the efforts of the Adi community and ICAR are yielding positive results. The introduction of living fences has not only protected the mithuns but has also contributed to the conservation of forests, reducing deforestation and human animal conflicts. "Owning mithuns is a step towards financial freedom," says Kiphutlak Newmai, a mithun owner in Nagaland. "These fences have helped us secure our livelihoods and preserve our sacred cattle."
The innovative approach of living fences is a beacon of hope for the conservation of mithuns and the sustainability of the indigenous communities that rely on them. Through continued efforts and support, the sacred mithun can thrive once again in the forests of the Himalayas, symbolizing a harmonious balance between nature and human life.
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