<i>Lura</i> - Indigenous Approach to Biodiversity Conservation by Temporary Community Confinement of <i>Mithuns</i> (<i>Bos</i><i> frontalis</i>) during Growing Season

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The extraordinary knowledge of indigenous people about their immediate environment and natural resource base can be a great asset for conservation of biodiversity. The current study aims to investigate an indigenous method of grazing management through temporary confinement of Mithun (Bos frontalis) of whole village community in a well selected area in the forest during the cropping and growing season. The whole system is called Lura and practiced by Galo tribes of Eastern Himalayan region of India. Every year Lura management committee is formed that selects a new site based on number of Mithuns, forage availability, time period and several other key criteria without affecting flora-fauna diversity and rare medicinal plants. The practice checks continuous, free, random and selective grazing by Mithuns. It prevent continuous disturbance of soil surface due to treading, during growing and rainy seasons that avoid soil erosion and compaction, and facilitate seedling germination and the invasion by plants. Change of site, provide resting period to the forages in the previous Lura site especially during growth stage that allow them to renew and regenerate appreciably within 1-2 months. It also saves resources and time for construction of fencing in each Jhum and other agricultural site of each farmer. The confinement offers easy monitoring, protection and regular health assessment of the livestock. Thus, it is a multifaceted indigenous practice that ensures grazing management, biodiversity conservation, protection of standing agricultural crops and animal health management

The Structure of <i>Jhum</i> (Traditional Shifting Cultivation System): Prospect or Threat to Climate

“…The confinement checks Mithuns from continuous, free and random grazing of forest vegetation during the growing season [37], besides protecting Jhum fields. During the growing and rainy season the confinement of Mithuns in Lura avoid disturbance of soil surface due to treading that check soil erosion and compaction; and allow free regeneration of grazed vegetations as well as seedling germination throughout the forest.…”

“…Different tuber varieties are sown along the peripheries that act as live fence for protection against animals. Mithuns (Bos frontalis), the most important domesticated herbivore animal is generally kept under temporary community confinement called Lura during the growing season [37]. Chirping of Tuk pi pipi and pinching birds starts the next cycle during the months of April-May that goes on till the time the frog starts croaking.…”