Mithun spotted in Assam for first time UPSC Current Affairs

Description

MITHUN

Source: TOI

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Context

Bovine animal Mithun has been spotted in Assam for the first time.

Mithun (Bos frontalis)

Category	Details
*Origin*	●Mithun is a semi-domesticated bovine species believed to have originated more than 8000 years ago. ●It is considered to be a descendant of wild Indian gaur (Bos gaurus) or bison. Known as the "cattle of the mountain".
*Taxonomy*	●Family: Bovidae ●Class: Mammalia. ●It is closely related to the gaur and banteng.
*Common Name*	●Gayal, Drung ox.
*Geographical Distribution*	●Distributed across the North-Eastern region of India, with the highest population in Arunachal Pradesh. ●Also found in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Bhutan. Inhabits altitudes of 300-3000m.
*State Animal*	●State animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
*Festivals*	●The ‘Soulung’ festival, celebrated by the Adi tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, commemorates the arrival of Mithun. ●Mithun is also sacrificed during the ‘Feast of Merit’ in Nagaland to mark social and economic achievements.
*Physical Characteristics*	●Mithun resembles gaur but is smaller, weighing 400-650 kg. ●Strongly built, with a flat face, and horns emerging from the lateral sides. ●The horns are thick at the base, curving inward and tapering to a point.
*Coat Color*	●Young mithuns are light to dark brown, and their color darkens with age.
*Behavior*	●Mithuns avoid bright sunlight, often seeking refuge in deep forest areas during noon. ●They prefer cooler climates and salty water streams to quench their thirst.
*Social & Cultural Significance*	●Symbolizes peace and communal harmony among tribes in North-East India. ●Ownership confers prestige. ●Mithuns are used in social transactions, including dowry payments, fines, and for elevating social status.
*Meat and Milk Utility*	●Mithun meat is consumed, particularly during festivals and social ceremonies. ●The animal’s milk has a high butterfat content.
Leather Production	●Mithun hide is used to produce high-quality leather.
Conservation Challenges	●Threats include inbreeding, interbreeding with cattle, and habitat destruction.
Conservation Efforts	●The National Research Centre on Mithun (Nagaland) was established by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to study Mithun husbandry, breeding, and explore diversified uses.
Conservation Status	●IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. ●Listed under CITES Appendix I.

Must read on Indian Bison: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/indian-bisons

Sources:

BusinessStandard

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q:In the context of Indian Bison, consider the following statements:

1.It is a protected species included in Schedule II of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

2.It has a much larger and muscular build as compared to Gayal.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Aspect	Mithun	Indian Bison
Scientific Name	Bos frontalis	Bos gaurus
Common Name	Gayal	Gaur
Distribution	North-East India, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram	Forests of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Southeast Asia
Physical Appearance	Smaller size, stocky build, smooth coat	Larger, muscular build, distinct hump, curved horns
Size	Around 1.2-1.5 meters tall at the shoulder	Up to 2.2 meters tall at the shoulder
Weight	400-600 kg	650-1,000 kg
Horns	Shorter, less curved horns	Long, upward-curved horns
Domestication	Domesticated and reared for meat and trade	Wild, though sometimes semi-domesticated in some regions
Habitat	Hills, forests, and villages	Dense forests, grasslands, and mountainous areas
Diet	Herbivore, mainly grass and shrubs	Herbivore, feeds on grasses, fruits, and vegetation
Conservation Status	IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. Listed under CITES Appendix I.	Vulnerable (IUCN Red List) Listed under CITES Appendix I. Included in Schedule I of WPA 1972.