NEWS – Nepal observed its first-ever National Yak Day on April 20, 2025.

• Objective: To celebrate the cultural, ecological, and economic importance of the yak in Himalayan regions.

CALL TO ACTION BY ICIMOD

• Organization Involved: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
• Focus:
  • Emphasized integrating yaks into the sustainable development agenda of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region.
  • Highlighted the role of indigenous communities (Sherpa, Tamang, Thakali, Rai, Limbu) in yak herding.
  • Linked yak herding to food security, cultural identity, and biodiversity conservation.

BIOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF YAK

Scientific Classification

• Wild Yak: Bos mutus
• Domesticated Yak: Bos grunniens

Habitat

• Found in alpine tundra, meadows, steppes, and desert steppes.
• Thrive at altitudes between 5000–7000 meters.

Geographic Distribution

• Native to the Himalayan region, Tibetan Plateau, Mongolia, and South-Central Asia.
• In India, yaks are reared in:
  • Arunachal Pradesh
  • Sikkim
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Union Territories)

Physical Characteristics

• Size:
  • Wild yaks: ~2 meters at the shoulder.
  • Domesticated yaks: Smaller.
• Adaptations:
  • Long, shaggy hair for insulation.
  • Curved horns (larger in males).
  • High lung capacity (3x cattle) and small red blood cells – suited for high altitudes and low oxygen.
• Diet: Herbivorous; feed on grasses and alpine vegetation.

Socio-Economic Importance

Uses

• Domesticated yaks:
  • Provide milk, meat, and transport (pack animals).
  • Used in trekking and climbing expeditions (up to 20,000 feet).
• Crossbreeding:
  • Yaks crossed with cattle produce dzo or chauri gai.
  • Hybrids are vital for agropastoralism across varied altitudes.

Conservation Status

• Wild Yak: Listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.
• Conservation Need:
  • Protect habitats, preserve genetic diversity, and ensure sustainable yak herding practices.