The National Research Centre on Yak (NRCY) at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district is making headlines because of its partnership with the National Insurance Company Ltd. to insure yaks living at high altitudes. NRCY, established in 1989 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, is a leading institute devoted entirely to yak research and development in India.
Key Details about the Yak
The yak belongs to the Bovini tribe, which also encompasses bison, buffaloes, and cattle. These creatures can withstand temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. They are adapted for life at high altitudes and have long hair that hangs from their sides like a curtain, often reaching the ground. Yaks hold significant cultural value for Himalayan peoples. Tibetan legend says that the first yaks were domesticated by Tibetan Buddhism founder Guru Rinpoche, and they’ve been known as the lifeline of pastoral nomads in the high-altitude Indian Himalayan region ever since.
Habitat of the Yak
Yaks originate from the Tibetan Plateau and the surrounding high-altitude regions. They are most comfortable living above 14,000 feet, forage at elevations as high as 20,000 feet, and rarely go below 12,000 feet. In India, yaks are reared in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. However, the yak population in the country has been rapidly declining, now standing at approximately 58,000.
Threats to the Yak Population
Climate change is one of the primary threats to the yak population. The rising environmental temperature at high altitudes causes heat stress in yaks during warmer months. This heat stress significantly disrupts the animals’ physiological responses. Additionally, closed borders due to wars and conflicts have led to inbreeding among yaks due to the unavailability of new yak germplasm from the original yak area.
Protection Status of Wild Yak
The wild yak, known as Bos mutus, is considered vulnerable under the IUCN Red list status. The domestic form, classified as Bos grunniens, is not included. Further, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has the wild yak listed under Appendix I, and the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 categorizes it under Schedule I, emphasizing the importance of its conservation.
