Dimapur, June 11 (EMN): In order to create awareness about the scientific rearing and conservation of the unique bovine species- Mithun, ICAR- National Research Centre (NRC) on Mithun organised a Mithun mela at Proba village in Phek district on June 10.
The mela was organised by taking into consideration on the continuous declination of forest cover, ever-increasing conflict with crop husbandry and frequent outbreaks of diseases like foot and mouth disease (FMD) causing dwindling mithun population in Nagaland.
In an update ICAR stated that the Chakhesang tribe has been rearing mithun for ages and has become an integral part of their socio-economic life. Porba village in Phek district is one of the villages with high-density of mithun population.
A total of 70 mithuns were brought to the mela and were vaccinated against FMD. In order to promote semi-intensive mithun rearing, several inputs including barbed-wire, CGI sheet, gumboots, raincoat, and travis were handed over to the Mithun Rearing Society of the village.
A scientist-farmer interaction meet was also organised in which the need for regular vaccination and custom hiring centre for agricultural implements were elaborated and deliberated upon.
Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (DDG) of Fisheries and Animal Science, ICAR, New Delhi, and the chief guest of the Mithun mela, expressed his gratitude to the farmers of Porba village for their hospitality. He urged the gathering to continue rendering their support and work as a unit with the institute to further bring in more developmental changes that would benefit the community.
Dr. Jena appealed the youth of the village, who are mostly unemployed, to venture into piggery, poultry and fishery enterprises and come forward with proposals to the institute for necessary assistance.
Dr. Abhijit MItra, Director of ICAR- NRC on Mithun, urged upon the villagers to develop into a model village so that it could serve as an eco-tourism hotspot for visitors to could come and witness mithun- the state animal of Nagaland.
He apprised the farmers about the economic potential of mithun milk besides meat. Dr. Mitra also emphasised on the importance of mithun rearing as an occupation to sustain livelihood security.
An exhibition displaying the traditional attires of the Chakhesang tribe was put up by the Chakhesang Women Welfare Society and Northeast Network, Chizami. The mela was attended by 418 farmers from Porba, Gidemi and Pholami village.
