‘Wishi’ as Mithun meat nomenclature to be placed before State Cabinet
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 7
The need to increase the Mithun population in Nagaland was stressed on at the interface meeting here on ‘Present status and future scope of Mithun rearing in Nagaland state.’
The meet was organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS) Nagaland in association with ICAR- National Research Centre on Mithun, Jharnapani, Medziphema, Nagaland.
Commissioner & secretary for AH & VS, M.K. Mero stressed on the need to propagate and increase Mithun population. Presently, there are over 35,000 Mithuns in Nagaland.
“There is still a lot of scope for Mithun rearing and we should take the challenge and increase Mithun population,” he said.
He informed that Nagaland Governor, PB Acharya had recently called for increasing Mithun population BY upto 1 lakh in Nagaland. Mero asked the concerned officers and stakeholders to make headway to achieve this target.
With the Governor announcing a cash award of Rs. 30,000 to the best Mithun reared, Mero advocated that a committee be constituted to implement it. He also stressed that scientific method of fencing is required for long term rearing of Mithun.
On the need to have proper nomenclature of Mithun meat, Mero informed that the department is proposing “Wishi” which would soon put up to the state cabinet for approval.
The Commissioner & Secretary also stressed on the need to identify ways and means for promotion of Mithun rearing. He regretted that so far there is no bankable scheme for Mithun rearing in the state.
ICAR-NRCM Director, Abhijit Mitra said Mithun plays an important and special socio-economic and cultural role in the North East region. He challenged the gathering to conserve and utilize the same and gain maximum benefit from it.
With Mithun having vast potential as an organic meat and milk producer, the NRCM has been engaged in various activities to save this animal’s germplasm from further deterioration.
Dr IP Khala, Director, AH &VS meanwhile called for a collaborative effort between scientists and AH &VS Department to promote Mithun rearing in the state. He informed that training on livestock census will take place on March 10 and requested all concerned officers to attend the same.
A Mithun mela and other livestock exhibition have also been scheduled for March 16 at Saptiga village.
MITHUN POPULATION IN North East STATES
Nagaland: 35, 258
Mizoram: 3, 287
Manipur: 10, 131
Arunachal Pradesh: 2, 49,000 (Source: Livestock Census 2012)
