PONGCHAU, Nov 5: A veterinary team from the Longding district’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department conducted a Mithun health camp and awareness programme at Konnu and Konsa villages under Pongchau circle on Wednesday, focusing on livestock healthcare and community-based conservation.
The initiative followed a directive from MLA and Adviser to the Chief Minister on PWD, Honchum Ngandam, regarding improved healthcare for Mithuns.
The rapid response team, led by District Veterinary Officer Dr Taking Gammi, treated Mithuns at Konnu before holding an awareness session for villagers.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Gammi stressed the need for community-based Mithun conservation through village management committees, fencing, fodder plantations, treatment sheds and crates. He also highlighted livestock enumeration, ear-tagging, vaccination against diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), black quarter (BQ), haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS), lumpy skin disease (LSD) and swine fever, besides livestock insurance.
He urged villagers to ensure proper livestock registration and digital record-keeping under Bharat Pashudhan, as part of the National Digital Livestock Mission.
Veterinary Officer Dr Mitek Tarang sensitised residents on common Mithun diseases, their prevention and treatment, and scientific rearing practices. The team reported no outbreak of FMD in either village during the visit.
Village representatives, including Konnu village chief Aching Wangham, GPC Damwang Wangsa and former ASMs Anai Wangsa and Nokphung Wangsa, thanked the department for organising the first such team-based veterinary visit in the area. They sought adequate medicines and equipment, along with support for community fencing and Mithun conservation.
The villagers informed the team that Konnu alone has an estimated Mithun population of around 2,000, underlining its importance as a Mithun-rearing centre.
The programme aimed to strengthen veterinary services and community participation in livestock conservation in the remote border villages adjoining Myanmar.