Wild life population decreasing drastically due to rampant hunting and traditional sacrificial practices, says Bano Haralu
Dimapur, June 8 (EMN): ICAR-National Research Centre (NRC) on Mithun, Medziphema celebrated its 31st Foundation Day on Saturday by indulging in several activities, including inauguration of mithun bull shed, experimental sheds and fencing of the mithun farm; laying of Semen Processing Lab foundation stone; and tree plantation in the mithun farm.
Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries and Animal Science), ICAR, New Delhi graced the event as the chief guest, and Bano Haralu, retired journalist and wildlife conservationist, was the guest of honour.
Jena said at the event that the 31-year-old institute has finally reached a vibrant age, a time to take wise decisions and become accountable for its actions as expectations are bound to increase, informed Director of ICAR- National Research Centre on Mithun, Dr Abhijit Mitra in a press release.
The foundation day, according to him, is a day of introspection for the institute; of its past activities and achievements, and urged it to set a roadmap with sectoral vision document for the next 25 to 50 years. Lamenting that very few people know about the unique bovine species – mithun, he said that people should be made aware of the animal and educate them on its importance in livelihood security. He also stressed on the need to conduct behavioural studies on mithun to better understand them.
Haralu told the gathering that Nagaland state is very rich in bio-diversity with changing vegetation every 1000 ft change in altitude but there is drastic decrease in the wild life population due to rampant hunting and traditional sacrificial practices. She requested everyone to take a pledge to safeguard the eco-system and abide by one principle – not to take in access, be greedy or over indulge.
Dr Capt. G. D. Rao, Dean, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, CAU, Jalukie, Nagaland and guest of honour, lauded the efforts of the institute over the years and stressed on the need to target the upcoming youths on mithun conservation.
Earlier during the programme, Dr Abhijit Mitra welcomed the dignitaries and gave a presentation on mithun and its population dynamics in the existing scenario.
The best employees of the institute were awarded at the event. Under the Tribal Sub Plan, 70 rolls of barbed wires, 10 bundles of CGI sheets, one travis, 10 pairs of gumboots and 10 number of raincoats were given away to Pungwa Village Council, Peren district for establishment of semi-intensive Mithun rearing unit at the function. Scientists at ICAR-NRC on Mithun also addressed the queries of farmers during the farmer-scientist interaction session.
