Characterization of Arunachali Yak: A Roadmap for Pastoral Sustainability of Yaks in India

Pranab Jyoti Das, Aneet Kour, Sourabh Deori, Safeeda Sultana Begum, Martina Pukhrambam, Sanjit Maiti, Jayakumar Sivalingam, Vijay Paul and Mihir Sarkar ()
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Pranab Jyoti Das: ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Bomdila 790101, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Aneet Kour: ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Bomdila 790101, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Sourabh Deori: ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Bomdila 790101, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Safeeda Sultana Begum: ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Bomdila 790101, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Martina Pukhrambam: ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Bomdila 790101, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Sanjit Maiti: ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
Jayakumar Sivalingam: ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad 500030, Telangana, India
Vijay Paul: ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Bomdila 790101, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Mihir Sarkar: ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Bomdila 790101, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-20

Abstract: Highland pastoralism provides economic sustainability to the tribal livelihoods and is endemic to the yak-rearing tracts of India. Transhumant pastoralists of Arunachal Pradesh (in India) have centuries-old deep socio-religious and economic connections with this unique bovine species. As a result of their conservation efforts, Arunachali was recognized as the first and is still the lone breed (to date) of yaks in the country. A survey was conducted on the pastoral production system in the region to enable the phenotypic characterization of yaks and to understand the prevailing husbandry practices. Arunachali yaks are medium-sized bovines that are predominantly black with dense and long hairs hanging down the body and are docile in temperament. They have a convex head with horizontal ears and distinctly curved horns with pointed tips. The average milk yield is 0.98–1.04 kg milk/day with 7.45% fat and 11.5% SNF and the peak milk yield/day is 1.1–1.6 kg. The average ages of clipping of coarse hairs and down fibres are 12–18 months and 12 months, respectively, with average yields of 1.5 kg and 0.5 kg/clipping/animal, respectively. Value addition of yak milk and fibre presents a unique opportunity for the economic rejuvenation of yak pastoralism. However, winter feed scarcity, inbreeding, extreme climate events and the non-availability of essential services are still major challenges for yak production in the country. Our findings acknowledge that pastoral sustainability is critical for the conservation of yaks and yak rearing. This calls for pastoralism-centric governance and research efforts in the highlands to curb the declining population and to put Indian yaks on the road to sustainability.

Keywords: pastoral; Arunachali yak; sustainability; India (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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