The government has launched a yak reintroduction initiative in the Mechuka region of Arunachal Pradesh aimed at reviving traditional livestock practices and generating livelihood prospects for tribal communities. On Friday, six yaks, comprising four females and two males, were distributed to farmers to help reinstate yak-based income sources in the high-altitude Shi-Yomi district, where yak numbers have significantly dwindled in recent years.
To support this transition, the initiative included awareness sessions on scientific yak rearing for 45 farmers, along with input support under the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC). This strategy aims to improve overall productivity and ensure the long-term sustainability of the yak rearing programme.
The undertaking was spearheaded by the ICAR–National Research Centre on Yak (ICAR–NRC on Yak) based in Dirang, with leadership from its Director, Dr. Mihir Sarkar. The programme particularly emphasized the promotion of scientific husbandry practices appropriate for high-altitude areas, where traditional livestock systems are vital to local economies.
Collaboration was key to the initiative’s delivery, as it partnered with the Jomlo Mongku Mithun Farmers Federation (JMMFF) and the Animal Husbandry Department of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Officials highlighted the importance of institutional partnerships in enhancing livestock-based interventions in remote tribal regions, underscoring the interconnectedness of tradition and modern agricultural practices.
