Yupia, May 2: A pressing ecological concern was highlighted during a meeting held with the Doimukh-Gumto Circle Mithun Farmers' Club to address the alarming rise in mithun deaths caused by wild dogs (dholes) at DC Conference Hall, Yupia. The meeting was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Papumpare Jiken Bomjen, who emphasized the urgent need to address the ecological imbalance causing these incidents. 
“The smaller herbivorous animals that serve as the primary prey for wild dogs have been overhunted in recent years. This has forced the wild dogs, which typically hunt in packs, to target mithuns,” Bomjen explained. He urged all attendees to take this matter seriously and reflect on its implications for local ecology and livelihoods.
Recognizing the cultural and economic importance of mithuns for tribal communities, the DC assured the mithun owners of his support in seeking compensation from the government. He encouraged them to follow proper channels and provide the necessary documentation for their claims.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the Mithun Farmers' Club, Chukhu Taji, revealed that 52 mithuns had been killed by wild dogs in the past four months. Highlighting the economic and social significance of mithuns for unemployed villagers, he appealed for government assistance in securing compensation.  Taji also pointed out that the Forest Department has been rejecting compensation claims due to the lack of post-mortem reports. He urged the government to relax these requirements, considering the challenges faced by villagers in remote areas.
“The population of wild dogs has increased significantly, while hunting of wildlife has been strictly prohibited due to various Wildlife Acts and directives from the Forest Department,” Taji added. He called on the Forest Department to devise measures to control the wild dog population.
The Goan Buras (village elders) expressed their frustration over the rising mithun deaths and the challenges they face in mediating between villagers and the government. They criticized the government for failing to protect villagers’ livestock despite its emphasis on wildlife conservation.
Senior Veterinary Doctor Dr.T.R Nabam Hina proposed issuing post-mortem reports or death certificates for mithuns based on photographic evidence and recommendations from the Goan Buras and Forest Department. He encouraged mithun owners to ear-tag their animals to prevent ownership disputes and simplify compensation claims.
Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Doimukh, Kipa Raja, and Circle Officer (CO) Gumto, Afa Phassang, advised Mithun owners to notify the District Administration about mithun deaths, particularly those occurring near the Assam border. They also stressed the importance of refraining from prematurely concluding that poisoning is the cause of death.
Additionally, the officials emphasized the need to form committees at the circle level to recommend compensation-related matters to the government; devising a uniform form for compensation across the departments;  implement geo-tagging of mithun carcasses to avoid duplication of claims and explore the use of microchips to track mithuns effectively.
The meeting concluded with a collective agreement on intensifying awareness campaigns by the Animal Husbandry Department regarding ear-tagging, vaccinations, and other preventive measures to safeguard mithuns and support the livelihoods of local communities.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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