In a groundbreaking effort to promote coexistence and mitigate human-wildlife conflict, Potom village in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Siang district has established its first mithun bank (keba hob), with the support of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the Eastern Himalayas Marbled Cat Project (EHMCP), and the Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation (SWCCF). The mithun bank aims to provide assistance to families who have experienced livestock losses due to wild predators, thereby reducing the instances of retaliatory killings through enhanced community conservation initiatives.
The initiative commenced with the provision of two female mithuns as initial stock and barbed wire materials to improve livestock enclosure protection against predation. During a village meeting, Potom HGB Kardak Potom acknowledged the community’s commitment to wildlife conservation, emphasizing the ecological role of predators and the importance of non-violent conflict resolution. Additionally, village secretary Kige Potom highlighted the cultural and ecological significance of both small wild cats and mithuns, advocating their protection for the benefit of local forests and future generations. Project member Yomto Mayi stressed that enhancing livestock safety and fostering conservation awareness are vital to preserving Potom’s unique biodiversity, warning that neglect could lead to the extinction of these animals.
The establishment of the mithun bank represents the first initiative of its kind in the region, illustrating that community-driven strategies can effectively safeguard both local livelihoods and endangered wildlife, such as the Asian golden cat. Conservation groups hope this model will motivate nearby villages to adopt similar coexistence practices.
