The wild progeny of domesticated yaks have survived for decades in high altitude border area of Chamoli district after being abandoned by their human users. However, apathy of the departments concerned might prove detrimental to the conservation of these yaks that are now found in a small herd of about 15 to 20 individuals in the high Himalayas of Chamoli. In absence of coordination between the Forest Department and Animal Husbandry department, the Animal Husbandry department is now planning to relocate the animals to Kumaon.
Following the 1962 Indo-China war, the trade with Tibet carried out by members of the Bhotia tribe living in the high altitude areas of Niti-Mana valley in Chamoli district was discontinued. The end of the Indo-Tibet trade from this region affected the lifestyle of the Bhotias who abandoned the yaks they used for carrying goods to Tibet. The abandoned yaks have since then been leading a wild existence in the remote high altitude areas of this region.
These yaks can be seen only in the Dronagiri and Bagini valleys in the high altitude region of Chamoli district. When information was sought from the Animal Husbandry department’s official in Joshimath, he had to struggle to find data on the yaks.
The official said that at present the department has one employee to periodically place salt for the yaks in the Dronagiri valley apart from which no other effort could be facilitated by the Government. The official claimed that the population of these yaks has increased and presently it is estimated that about 18 of them are living in this region.
Manager of a local trekking business, Sanjay Kunwar who has visited this area many times states that he has seen these yaks closely. He said that the yaks can be seen during September and October by those trekking from Dronagiri village to Bagini glacier. At present this herd has been seen to comprise of the alpha male, about a dozen females and half a dozen adolescent yaks.
During the winter these yaks venture down to the lower areas and move back towards the Dronagiri area in the summer. The head of Dronagiri’s Nav Yuvak Mangal Dal Narendra Singh Rawat said that specific policy should be implemented to conserve the yaks here. If the department concerned is unable to do so, the locals should be allowed to facilitate conservation of the yaks, he said.
The Chamoli district chief veterinary officer Dr lokesh Kumar averred that efforts are underway to facilitate conservation of the yaks. If things go as planned, the yaks will be relocated in a small group from here to suitable habitat as in Munsyari in Pithoragarh district, he said.