Lura - indiogenous approach to biodiversity conservation by temporary community confinement of Mithuns (Bos frontalis) during growing season

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