Guwahati: Indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh have helped researchers uncover the seasonal movements, habitat use and congregation patterns of the Mishmi Takin, a vulnerable mountain ungulate found in the Eastern Himalayas.
A study published in Frontiers in Conservation Science has found that traditional ecological knowledge held by the Idu Mishmi, Digaru Mishmi, Miju Mishmi and Meyor communities can provide valuable evidence for wildlife conservation, particularly in remote mountain landscapes where scientific data remain limited.
Researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India documented local knowledge through interviews with 114 community members in Arunachal Pradesh between 2021 and 2023. They combined these observations with camera-trap surveys, field expeditions and direct sightings to examine the species’ ecology.
The study recorded more than 17,000 photographic captures of takins, helping validate community observations about their habitat use and seasonal gatherings.
One of the key findings was the animal’s seasonal movement across different elevations. According to community observations and field evidence, takins use forested areas during spring, move towards high-altitude habitats and mineral-rich salt licks during the rainy season, and descend towards lower forests during autumn and winter.
The salt licks, known locally as “Aheko” among the Idu Mishmi, emerged as particularly important sites. Researchers identified six major congregation areas in Dibang Valley, generally located at elevations of 3,500 to 4,500 metres.
During the rainy season, from June to early September, takins gather at these sites in large numbers. Direct observations recorded more than 500 animals in some congregation areas, although the researchers cautioned that these sightings were not formal population estimates.
Individual herds generally comprised around 18 to 50 animals, while several groups could gather at the same site.
The researchers found differences between Dibang Valley and Anjaw. In Dibang, takins were frequently associated with salt licks and large seasonal congregations. In Anjaw, sightings were spread across a wider range of habitats, including high-altitude forests and salt-lick areas at lower elevations.
The study also documented behaviours such as grazing, movement, drinking, resting and mating, with congregation sites playing an important role in the animals’ seasonal activities.
Researchers said protecting salt licks, congregation areas and the movement corridors connecting them should be considered a conservation priority.
The findings also highlight the changing relationship between communities and wildlife. Respondents identified natural predators, including tigers, leopards, dholes and bears, as threats to takins. They also reported human-related pressures, including hunting, habitat disturbance and the gradual erosion of traditional cultural values and customary practices that once regulated hunting.
The researchers stressed that these were community-reported threats and perceptions, rather than a comprehensive assessment of mortality.
The study argues that indigenous knowledge should not be treated merely as anecdotal information. When systematically documented and cross-checked against scientific surveys, it can help researchers identify critical habitats and understand the ecology of poorly studied species.
The Mishmi Takin is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act.
The researchers acknowledged that interviews may be affected by recall bias and that camera-trap surveys, conducted in accessible locations and seasons, may not capture the species’ entire range of movements.
Nevertheless, they said combining community observations with ecological surveys offers a useful framework for conservation planning in the Eastern Himalayas, where rugged terrain and limited scientific monitoring make wildlife research challenging.