Presence of Mithun recorded in Dima Hasao: Assam CM praises forest department for conservation success

Kamrup (Assam) [India], September 10 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced the presence of Mithun in the hilly areas of Dima Hasao and praised the state's forest department for its excellent work in forest protection and management.
Mithun is another name for the gayal (Bos frontalis), a large, ox found in Northeast India.
"In another beautiful addition to our animal kingdom diversity, we have recorded presence of Mithun (Bos Frontalis) in the Hilly areas of Dima Hasao. This bovid species, native to Bharat's Himalayan foothills in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, etc. and which finds mention in the Mahabharata, has now a new home in Assam. Kudos to our @assamforest Dept for its excellent work in protection, preservation and management of our treasured forests," CM Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X.

Assam adds another faunal friend to its biodiversity 🙌

In another beautiful addition to our animal kingdom diversity, we have recorded presence of Mithun (Bos Frontalis) in the Hilly areas of Dima Hasao.

This bovid species, native to Bharat's Himalayan foothills in Arunachal… pic.twitter.com/9MovonmkbX

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 10, 2024

As per Assam forest department, the State of Assam; criss-crossed by mountains, valleys and an intricate river system; is located in the eastern most part of India, constituting 2.39 per cent of the country's total area.
The recorded forest area of Assam is 26,832 sq km accounting for 34.21% of its geographical area. According to their legal status, Reserved Forests constitute 66.58% and Unclassed Forests 33.42 per cent of the total forest area, as per the Assam forest department
The state has 18 forest types belonging to five forest type groups viz Tropical Wet Evergreen, Tropical Semi Evergreen, Tropical Moist Deciduous, Tropical Dry Deciduous and Sub Tropical Pine Forests, Assam Forest department states.
As per Assam forest department, the protected area network of Assam includes 7 National Parks and 18 wildlife sanctuaries covering an area of 4938.53 km. (ANI)