Dibrugarh: The ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak (ICAR–NRC on Yak), Dirang, successfully carried out a yak re-introduction programme at Mechuka block in Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday, marking a significant step towards reviving traditional livestock practices and strengthening tribal livelihoods in one of the state’s most remote high-altitude regions.The programme was conducted under the chairmanship of Dr Mihir Sarkar, director of ICAR–NRC on Yak, with a three-pronged objective. The objectives are promoting livestock-based livelihoods, enhancing eco-tourism potential and conserving the rich cultural heritage associated with yak rearing — a practice deeply woven into the social fabric of communities in the higher reaches of Arunachal Pradesh.Six yaks — four females and two males — were distributed to carefully selected tribal farmers to provide a direct and sustainable boost to their household incomes. An additional 45 farmers participated in structured awareness sessions on scientific yak husbandry, and received input support under the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) activity of the Institute.“Yak rearing is not merely an economic activity in these high-altitude areas — it is a way of life, a cultural identity. This re-introduction programme is aimed at ensuring that this heritage is not lost, while also opening new doors of livelihood and tourism for our tribal communities,” Dr Mihir Sarkar said.The programme was implemented in close collaboration with the Jomlo Mongku Mithun Farmers Federation (JMMFF) and the animal husbandry department of the Arunachal Pradesh govt, highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation in delivering development outcomes to geographically isolated communities.Officials highlighted that Mechuka, with its breathtaking landscape and distinct tribal culture, holds considerable promise as an eco-tourism destination, and that the presence of yaks could serve as a natural draw for visitors while simultaneously generating income for local herders.The re-introduction programme is being seen as a replicable model for sustainable livestock development across other high-altitude tribal belts of the northeast, where yak populations have steadily declined in recent decades due to neglect and lack of institutional support.
