Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced the formation of the Yak Federation of India, a national-level platform designed to unite yak herders across the Himalayan region and strengthen the social, cultural, and economic ecosystem surrounding one of the most vital animals of the highlands. The announcement was made in Itanagar on Sunday after Khandu held an extensive interaction with a delegation of yak herders representing Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. The meeting brought together communities that share a centuries-old dependence on the yak, a species whose relevance extends far beyond economic utility to encompass identity, heritage, and collective memory for trans-Himalayan populations.

Khandu described the formation of the federation as a significant step toward safeguarding and advancing the practices of yak herding, which remains a lifeline for high-altitude communities. He emphasised that the initiative would serve as a bridge between herders, various state and central governments, research institutions, and other stakeholders. According to him, the federation will help coordinate policy interventions, promote sustainable livelihood models, and preserve the cultural traditions that revolve around the yak. In a social media post, he highlighted that the yak is not merely an economic asset but an integral part of the culture, heritage, and identity of Himalayan societies. This close bond, he said, reflects both the endurance and adaptability of mountain communities and the animals that sustain them.

The formation of the Yak Federation of India comes at a time when traditional yak-herding practices face numerous pressures, including climate change, shrinking grazing lands, declining economic returns, and the migration of younger generation herders to urban areas. The federation aims to address these challenges by ensuring that herders have a common platform where their concerns can be articulated, solutions collaboratively explored, and policy benefits delivered efficiently. Khandu noted that the federation will function with the active involvement of herder groups from across the Himalayan belt and will seek to bring cohesion to what has traditionally been a geographically dispersed and often isolated set of communities.

Yak herding has long been central to the livelihoods of trans-Himalayan peoples, particularly the Brokpa and Monpa tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, as well as pastoral communities in Ladakh, Sikkim, Nepal, and Bhutan. These groups inhabit some of the most challenging terrains in the world, where extreme cold, rugged landscapes, and limited access make conventional agriculture nearly impossible. Over generations, the yak has emerged as the foundation of their socio-economic structure, providing not only sustenance but also enabling mobility, trade, and cultural continuity. In these regions, the yak is often regarded as the “lifeline of the highlands,” a designation that reflects its indispensable role in everyday existence.

The yak is uniquely adapted to life in the high altitudes of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau. Its physiology allows it to survive in sub-zero temperatures, navigate steep trails, and thrive in environments where oxygen levels are significantly lower than at sea level. For centuries, yaks have supplied milk, butter, wool, and meat, forming the dietary base for high-altitude communities. Yak milk is rich and nutritious, often used to produce butter and cheese, while yak wool is valued for its warmth and durability. In addition to these essentials, yaks serve as reliable beasts of burden, transporting goods across mountain passes that are inaccessible to vehicles, thus enabling inter-village trade and supply movements.

Beyond utility, the yak has deep cultural and social significance in Himalayan societies. Among the Brokpa and Monpa tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, yak-herding is not only an occupation but a tradition transmitted through generations. Festivals, rituals, and community gatherings often revolve around yak-related practices. The animals are central to local folklore and are associated with prosperity, endurance, and mountain resilience. The continuity of these customs forms a vibrant cultural fabric that binds communities together and connects them to their ancestral landscapes.

The formation of the Yak Federation of India seeks to strengthen this cultural and economic framework by creating an organised body capable of advocating for the needs of herders at regional and national levels. Khandu said the federation will encourage teamwork and collective action, enabling herders to work together rather than operate in fragmented clusters. He emphasised that the federation will be designed to facilitate policy alignment between various Himalayan states and neighbouring regions, recognising that herding practices and challenges often transcend administrative borders.

The chief minister also noted that the federation marks the beginning of a more structured engagement between governments and pastoral communities. Through coordinated efforts, the federation will help address issues such as declining pasturelands, lack of access to veterinary care, limited market linkages for yak-based products, and the need for research on high-altitude livestock management. Khandu said the platform will also open pathways for collaboration with non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, and international bodies that work on sustainable mountain development.

The challenges facing yak herders have become more pronounced in recent years. Climate change has altered grazing cycles, reduced snowfall, and led to shifts in vegetation patterns, directly affecting the availability of forage. Warmer temperatures have also exposed yaks to diseases previously found only in lower altitudes. Many herders have been compelled to travel farther in search of pasture, increasing both physical risk and economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, improved educational opportunities and the prospect of more stable income in urban centres have encouraged younger generations to move away from traditional herding. This has raised concerns about the future of yak-related knowledge systems, which are typically learned through hands-on experience and intergenerational transfer.

The Yak Federation of India will seek to counter these challenges by promoting sustainable herding methods, advocating for pastureland protection, and encouraging scientific research into yak nutrition, breeding, and disease management. Khandu said the federation could also help develop value-added industries around yak products, including wool-based textiles, artisanal dairy products, and eco-friendly tourism centred on pastoral culture. By improving market access, the federation aims to make yak herding more financially viable, thus attracting younger community members to continue the tradition.

The announcement has been welcomed by herder delegations from across the Himalayan belt, who said they have long needed a unified platform to articulate their challenges and share best practices. Representatives from Ladakh, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh expressed hope that the federation will foster stronger ties among communities and serve as a catalyst for policy reforms aimed at protecting high-altitude pastoral livelihoods.

The establishment of the Yak Federation of India underscores the importance of recognising and strengthening traditional livelihoods in the high Himalayas, where generations of herders have preserved delicate ecological and cultural landscapes. By institutionalising collaboration and advocating for long-term sustainability, the federation promises to enhance resilience in a region where climate and economic pressures are rapidly increasing.

With his announcement, Chief Minister Pema Khandu reaffirmed the cultural and economic significance of the yak and signalled a renewed commitment to supporting the communities that have long relied on this remarkable animal. The federation, he said, will help ensure that yak-herding traditions, ecosystems, and livelihoods continue to thrive in the decades ahead.