MITHUN - AN IMPORTANT BOVINE SPECIES OF INDIAN ORIGIN

Abstract

SUMMARYThe Mithun (Bos frontalis) is a heavily built semi domesticated bovine species originated in north eastern hill region of India. In some folklore, Mithun have been referred to as the descendent of the Sun. There are interesting and divergent legends about the orig of mithun among different in tribes. Even today, mithun is used as a holy sacrificial animal to appease the Gods by the tribesman. It is a woodland animal found at an elevation of between 2 000 and 9 000 feet. The habitat of mithun extends like a long curved belt of hills from the Akasan hill and Chin Hills of Burma through the Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh and the Lushai (Mizo) hills of Manipur and Naga hills of India. The geographic zone is covered with tropical evergreen rain forests. At higher elevations mithun territories are also shared by yak (Poephagus grunniens), while at lower altitudes domestic cattle and mithun co-habit. The information contained in the article is primarily based on a field survey carried out on mithun of Porba village of Nagaland. Some data collated and published by other departments is also included.