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A mithun, a prized animal for the Nagas, seen here being led off by its owner at the Mithun Mela-Regional Livestock Show at Saptiqa in Zunheboto on Thursday.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Saptiqa (Zunheboto), March 16: There are around 35, 000 Mithuns in Nagaland, the second highest population after Arunachal Pradesh, which has around 2.5 lakh. Mizoram has about 3, 000 and Manipur has 10,000 Mithuns.
This was stated by Dr. Abhijit Mitra, director of the ICAR-NCR on Mithun, during an address to the ‘Mithun Mela-Regional Livestock Show’ at Saptiqa in Zunheboto district on Thursday.
The event was organised by the ICAR-National Centre on Mithun and the department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Service.
Mitra said that the Mithun plays an important role in biodiversity and that it protects the forest. He challenged the gathering to conserve and preserve the animal in Nagaland. 
The chief guest of the event was S Chuba Longkumer, parliament secretary for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Service. He said that the animal was ‘deeply rooted in the life of Nagas.’ In any ceremony, ‘the number of Mithun was used as social standing,’ he said. In this association, the Mithun was selected to be the State Animal.
Also, he said that community participation was necessary and promoting community reserved forest for Mithun habitat was the primary role to be played by the people. He mentioned that the event was organized with the view to increase awareness concerning the scientific methods of rearing, treatment of diseases and to offer an opportunity to farmers to exchange views and update their technical skills.
The guest of honour Picto, parliament secretary for Law and Justice, also spoke during the occasion. He said that the Mithun project will benefit the people and the government. He assured the people that it ‘will not go fruitless.’
Also, MK Mero, commissioner and secretary for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Service, said that the objective was to promote livestock variety and encourage the people to rear livestock to meet demand.
‘Every year, we lose around 2013 crore due to import of meat,’ he lamented. He said that the department aims to fulfil its target in 2025 by ‘being self sufficient.’
Beside the Mithun, the long-haired goat, indigenous poultry and piggery were exhibited at the fair. Prizes were awarded to the farmers with the best livestock. The prize winners for the best bull: Niheto Achumi (first prize) and Vishito Achumi (second prize); Best cow: Powito (first) and Vishito Achumi (second); Best heifer: Niheto Achumi (first) and Pukhato (second)
Speaking to this correspondent, Khetovi of Shena old village who owns seven Mithuns, said anyone can rear the animal. He said markings are necessary for Mithun for differentiation as the animals are kept in groups.
When asked how the Mithun are taken care of when they take ill or get infected, he said that the people use indigenous medicines as they have no proper facilities around the locality to look after the animals.
