In a pioneering move to foster coexistence and reduce human–wildlife conflict, residents of Potom village in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Siang district have established the region’s first-ever mithun bank (keba hob). The initiative has been launched with support from 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 assist families that have lost livestock to wild predators and to curb retaliatory killings by strengthening community-led conservation mechanisms. As part of the launch, the supporting organisations provided two female mithuns as the initial seed stock for the bank, along with barbed wire materials to reinforce livestock enclosures—an important step to protect calves from predation.
During a village meeting, Potom HGB Kardak Potom praised the community’s collective commitment to safeguarding wildlife, including predators that play a crucial ecological role. He lauded the villagers’ willingness to adopt peaceful coexistence strategies instead of resorting to revenge killings.
Village secretary Kige Potom underscored the cultural and ecological significance of small wild cats and the deep traditional value of the mithun, stressing the need to protect both for the wellbeing of local forests and future generations.
Project member Yomto Mayi said improving livestock safety and raising conservation awareness were essential for protecting Potom’s unique biodiversity. “What we preserve today becomes our gift to the next generation. If we don’t, these animals may vanish forever,” he said, urging continued community support.
The creation of the mithun bank marks the first initiative of its kind in the area, showcasing how community-driven solutions can safeguard both livelihoods and threatened wildlife such as the Asian golden cat. Conservation groups hope the model will inspire neighbouring villages to adopt similar coexistence
