mithun

Mithun, also known as gayal, is a large domesticated bovine native to parts of South Asia, particularly the northeastern region of India, including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, as well as neighboring areas in northern Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is commonly regarded as a domesticated form of the gaur (Bos gaurus) or, by some authorities, as a distinct species or subspecies (Bos frontalis). The exact taxonomic status varies among scientists.

In appearance, mithun are robust, medium to large bovines with a compact body and a thick neck. Coat coloration ranges from grey to dark brown with variable white markings. They possess broad horns that curve outward and upward, and both sexes have horns, though males often have larger horns. Compared with the wild gaur, mithun tend to be more heavily built for forest and hillside environments and are generally smaller in size.

Mithun are kept in village herds and are well adapted to forested and hilly habitats. They are primarily maintained by tribal communities and are often integrated into traditional agroforestry systems. Their diet includes grazing and browse in forested areas, with management practices adapted to seasonal food availability. Domestic populations are primarily maintained for meat, milk, hides, and occasionally draft work, contributing to local livelihoods.

Culturally, mithun occupy an important place in many Northeast Indian communities. They feature in ceremonial feasts, ritual exchanges, and festive hospitality, underscoring their social and economic value beyond agricultural use.

Conservation and management efforts focus on sustainable husbandry, maintaining genetic integrity of pure mithun lines, and addressing disease and habitat pressures. Cross-border trade and habitat change pose challenges to long-term preservation of regional mithun populations.