MAGO, Oct 17 : Chief Minister Pema Khandu today called for a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen yak conservation, improve livelihoods of yak herders and unlock the economic potential of yak-based products, stressing that the traditional yak-rearing communities of the Himalayan region deserve focused policy support from both the State and Central governments.
Addressing the Yak Economy Summit 2026 and Yak Mela at Mago in Tawang district, the Chief Minister said yak rearing was not merely a livelihood but also an important part of the social, cultural and strategic landscape of the Himalayan belt, extending from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh.
“From the perspective of national security, it is our duty to support our Brokpa communities and yak herders through appropriate policy interventions,” he said, underlining the importance of strengthening pastoral communities living in remote and strategically significant areas.
Khandu said yak associations had now been formed in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, bringing these regional bodies together under the Yak Federation of India. He recalled participating virtually in the Federation’s first programme in Ladakh, noting that the deliberations at Mago were significant not just for Arunachal Pradesh but for the entire country.
The Chief Minister announced that a follow-up meeting would be convened in February, within the next three months, to review progress and share a roadmap for taking the initiative forward. The roadmap, he said, would identify the policy interventions required from the State government and the Government of India to ease the lives of yak herders and improve their income.
Emphasizing the need for a clear understanding of the sector, Khandu said comprehensive mapping of yak populations, herders and their seasonal movements must be undertaken before planning could progress. Mapping of both summer and winter grazing camps would be essential for developing appropriate infrastructure and ensuring the sustainable management of yak herds.
The State’s yak economy, he noted, could not be strengthened without organizing herders into cooperatives. He called for the establishment of the Arunachal Pradesh Yak Herders and Products Development Cooperative Society, stressing that a cooperative framework would help herders pool resources, improve bargaining power, access markets and develop viable businesses around yak products.
The proposed roadmap is expected to bring together the Army, the ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak (ICAR-NRCY), relevant government departments and other stakeholders to develop a coordinated and sustainable approach to yak rearing and pastoral livelihoods.
Khandu also called for capacity building and the adoption of scientific yak-rearing practices, including the semi-intensive model developed by ICAR-NRCY. He stressed the need to develop basic amenities for Brokpa communities at summer and winter satellite stations, while ensuring that traditional grazing practices and livelihoods are protected. A Brokpa-friendly grazing tax regime, particularly in winter grazing grounds, was among the measures highlighted for consideration.
Highlighting the commercial potential of yak products, the Chief Minister said the quality and taste of yak dairy products could help them establish a strong presence in the market. He expressed confidence that yak cheese and yak ghee, if developed and marketed effectively, could compete with established brands.
He called for stronger dairy development and value chains for yak milk products and fibre, along with the involvement of investors and entrepreneurs to improve processing, marketing and market access. Developing value-added products, he said, would create greater economic incentives for Brokpa families while generating local employment and skills.
The proposed interventions include preserving indigenous yak germplasm, improving breeding practices and herd records, and ensuring the supply of quality breeding animals to herders. The Chief Minister also stressed the need to explore a yak insurance policy and a bankable yak-farming scheme to reduce risks and encourage sustainable investment in the sector.
Yak-based livelihoods, he said, could extend beyond animal husbandry to include cottage stays, guiding services and the sale of local crafts. Linkages with the Vibrant Villages Programmeand Ranbhoomi Darshan could further connect pastoral communities with tourism and related economic opportunities.
The summit also highlighted the need to explore education-related proposals for yak herders under the National Livelihood Mission framework, alongside targeted support for Brokpacommunities. The possibility of extending special-category recognition to Brokpas, along with the Puroik community, was also raised for consideration.
The Chief Minister thanked all stakeholders who participated in the summit, with particular appreciation for the Brokpa herders who travelled from remote villages in West Kameng district to attend the deliberations.
The summit marks an effort to bring conservation, scientific yak rearing, community welfare and market development into a common framework, one that safeguards the traditional livelihoods of Himalayan pastoral communities while building a more sustainable and commercially viable yak economy.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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