Source: Arunachal Times
Syllabus: Prelims, GS 1, GS 3
Why in the news?
The villagers of Potom Village, West Siang district, have established the first ever Mithun bank. Traditionally it is known as ‘Keba Hob’. It has been established with the support from Wildlife Trust of India, the Eastern Himalayas Marbled Cat Project and the Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation.
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About Mithun Bank:
- The Mithun Bank initiative supports families impacted by Mithun predation and aims to minimise retaliatory killings through community-led conservation.
- It promotes wildlife conservation, especially of predators that hold significant ecological value.
- The programme highlights the cultural and ecological significance of small wild cats and the deep traditional importance of the Mithun.
- It showcases how community-driven actions can safeguard both livestock and threatened species such as the Asiatic golden cat.
- The initiative works to reduce human-wildlife conflict while fostering harmonious community coexistence with local wildlife.
About Mithun (Bos frontalis):
- Also known as Gayal, it is a semi-domesticated bovine species.
- It is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
- It is considered to be a descendant of wild Indian Gaur or Bison.
- It is called as the ‘Cattle of the Mountain’.
- Distribution:
- Highest concentration in Northeastern region of India. Arunachal Pradesh has the highest population.
- Southeast Asia – Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan.
- The Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh celebrates the ‘Soulung festival’ to commemorate the birth and arrival of Mithun on this earth.
- Conservation status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES Appendix: I
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