There are reports of about four deaths among the wild progeny of domesticated yaks that have survived for decades in high altitude border area of Dronagiri in Chamoli district after being abandoned by their human users. According to villagers four yaks are believed to have died from starvation after getting trapped in an area where they could not survive.
The Pioneer had earlier reported on the condition of these yaks that were left to fend for themselves but no concrete steps have been taken by the authorities so far. It was being estimated that about 19 yaks live in this area. However, at least four yaks have reportedly died this year. The Animal Husbandry department got post mortem examinations conducted on the dead yak but could not reach a conclusion regarding the cause of death. The department is responsible for ensuring the welfare of these yak but in absence of proper attention, the yaks continue to suffer.
When villagers returned to Dronagiri area for their six-month stay, they spotted the dead yak and informed the Animal Husbandry department. On being informed the department employees reached Dronagiri village where they found two yak bodies inside a cowshed and two bodies lying in a decomposed state outside.
While the department has not yet been able to establish the cause of death, villagers believe that the animals died of starvation. They believe that the heavy snowfall experienced till recently this year in the higher reaches of the State must have landed the yaks in a situation that left them unable to fend for themselves.
It is worth mentioning here that 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. The Animal Husbandry 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.