Efforts are being made at ICAR- National Research Centre on Yak to check the declining population of Yaks.
My recent visit to Dirang in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, known as “Arunachal’s best-kept secret”, proved to be exciting and purposeful. It took me to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - National Research Centre on Yak (ICAR-NRCY). The Institute is one of a kind. It derives a major source of motivation and strength from its prime research animal- Yak. It is the most resilient creature on earth as it can survive in extreme cold (up to -40 degree centigrade) and hypoxic conditions of high-altitude terrain. Yak sustains the highlander communities across the Trans-Himalayan region by providing them with much-needed milk, meat, wool, hide, and dung and transportation services. The population of Yak in the country stands at 58,000 as per the latest census (2019). The majority of them are found in three major Yak-rearing states- Arunachal Pradesh, Ladak, and Sikkim. The Institute prepares its strategy by taking cues from the existing ground realities in the Yak belt of India.
The main concerns are the drastic fall in the yak population of Ladakh and the dreadful incident of unprecedented snowfall and the severe feed scarcity resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Yaks in Sikkim in 2019. Considering the uncertain situation of Yak owners, the Institute convinced the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) to provide Yak insurance to sustain the tribal pastoralists in the event of natural disasters and mishaps. To promote Yak entrepreneurship and attract the younger generation to this occupation, the Institute roped in NABARD to provide credit support for Yak farming from leading banks. This unique bond of mutualism forged between Yak and Yak pastoralists serves critical intangible roles like biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, and preservation of cultural heritage. Recently, the Institute has signed five MOUs in the areas of value addition of Yak wool, poultry farming to supplement the income of tribal Yak farmers, collaboration in teaching and research, and providing good healthcare facilities to the Institute staff at cost-effective rates.
According to Dr Mihir Sarkar, Director, ICAR-NRCY, “The Institute has been carrying out cutting-edge research in the fields of Yak production, reproduction and health while providing scientific knowledge and technical support to the Yak rearers (Brokpas).” Besides conducting research, the institute has a strong and active dimension regarding technology dissemination and awareness. The important research highlights include checking the effectiveness of synch protocol and timed Artificial Insemination in Yaks, designing the blueprint for portable and detachable animal shelters for young ones and milking yaks during migration, identifying the most suitable maize fodder and grain variety to be grown at 5500 ft. above mean sea level. To disseminate knowledge regarding scientific Yak Husbandry, an informative mobile app called “Yak- The Ship of the High Altitude” was launched, recently”,.
Situated amidst the picturesque lush green hills, ICAR-NRCY was established in 1989 with a vision to work towards the research and development of Yak in India. At present, it is spread over 11.32 acres at a height of 1500 meters above sea level. The Yak experimental farm of the Institute was also established in 1995 at Nyukmadung.
The present laboratory-cum-office building was inaugurated in April.2009. ICAR-NRC on Yak is ISO 9000: 2015 certified to work for the “Conservation and Improvements of Yaks”. The mandate of the Institute includes the identification, conservation, characterization, and evaluation of Yak germplasm and the improvement of Yak for draught and milk. The main objectives to realize the mandate of the Institute are - the establishment of the nucleus herd(s) of Yak; develop and frame conservation strategy of Yak and take up research on ex-situ and in situ conservation of Yak genetic resources in a collaborative mode; conduct research on different aspects of Yak improvement in terms of production, productivity, health and quality improvement of products; research scientific utility of Yak crossbreds being traditionally carried out by people of mid-altitude areas to frame a strategy on crossbreeding with cattle and act as a one-stop station for Yak related information and technology access.
The research in the Institute is directed at various aspects of Yak husbandry and is chiefly executed through scientific sections viz. Animal Genetics and Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Animal Physiology and Reproduction, Animal Health, Livestock Product Technology, and Veterinary Extension Education. Despite being situated in a remote location, the Institute has an excellent research infrastructure consisting of an Experimental Yak farm, Central laboratory, Central Instrumentation Facility, In vitro Fertilization laboratory, Semen processing laboratory, and dedicated laboratories for Yak genetics, nutrition, physiology, parasitology, biotechnology, and medicine. Important support sections of the Institute include the Estate and Maintenance section, AKMU Cell, Library, Finance, and Establishment.
(The writer is a senior journalist and Chairman, Panwar Group of Institutions, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The views expressed are personal. This is the first part of three part series on northeast; to be continued)
