AALO, Aug 25: The first-ever ‘Mithun Mela-cum-Health Camp and Siangmi Breed Awareness Camp’ was held at Kunu Yami village under Kamba ADC circle in West Siang district.
The programme was graced by Nyamar Karbak, Chairman IT & e-Governance, as a chief guest, while Tarh Tarak, Chairman Arunachal Pradesh State Food Commission, and Mindo Loyi, Deputy Commissioner West Siang, attended as guests of honour.
The dignitaries first visited the mithun farms at Kamba, Kato and Kunu Yami villages, where more than 120 mithuns were showcased. The programme was organised by the Arunachal Mithun Farmers Federation in collaboration with TAMFWA, aimed at promoting mithun farming, creating awareness about the Siangmi breed and encouraging scientific management and conservation of mithun.
In his address, Karbak termed the occasion a historic event as a large number of mithun farmers had come together to showcase their animals and share their experiences. He viewed that the initiative should be expanded into a Pan-Arunachal programme. He also emphasised the need to discourage the indiscriminate sacrifice of mithuns and encouraged farmers to adopt scientific and sustainable mithun farming practices.
He further appealed to the mithun farmers to increase the number of mithuns showcased in future editions of the event and to collectively work towards strengthening mithun farming in the State.
Yani Ngomdir, DVO West Siang, advised mithun farmers to ensure timely vaccination and proper animal health care. He also apprised the gathering about various government schemes and programmes available for the welfare and development of mithun farmers.
The DC described the event as an important initiative for mithun farmers and the wider society. He urged the people of West Siang to continue and strengthen the traditional “LURA System”, which plays an important role in the social and cultural practices associated with mithun.
Maji Chokar, member Arunachal Pradesh State Food Commission, informed the gathering that the government is working towards better planning and support mechanisms for mithun farmers. He also appealed to the Arunachal Mithun Farmers Federation to extend its activities to other districts of the State so that more farmers and communities can benefit from such mithun melas and related initiatives.
Hento Karga, retired DC and member of APARC; Ejum Angu, ADC Kamba; and scientists from the ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, Nagaland, shared valuable insights on mithun breeding, health management, conservation and scientific farming practices.
The programme concluded with a renewed call for collective efforts towards the conservation, scientific management and sustainable development of mithun farming in the State. (DIPRO)