Awareness and Technology Demonstration Programme for Tribal Yak Herders Held at Chuna Grazing Ground, Mago
Mago (Arunachal Pradesh) : A successful awareness and technology demonstration programme was conducted today at Chuna Grazing Ground in Mago for the benefit of tribal yak herders. The event was a joint effort by the ICAR–National Research Centre on Yak (NRC-Yak), Dirang, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Tawang, and the Indian Army under the aegis of the Baisakhi Brigade.
The programme saw active participation from several dignitaries, including ADC Jang Hakraso Kri, Brigadier Rahul Mishra (Commander, Baisakhi Brigade), the Commanding Officer of the Mago Battalion, Assistant Commissioner of Thingbu Thutan Wangchu, DVO Tawang Dr. Avang Tamin, Principal Scientist of NRC-Yak Dr. Dinamani Medhi, along with senior scientists, officials, and villagers from Mago and Luguthang.
A total of 125 Brokpas (traditional yak herders) attended and benefitted from the programme.
Key Highlights:
The technical session, led by Dr. Dinamani Medhi, focused on:
Value addition of yak products
Vaccination and nutrient management
Adoption of semi-intensive yak rearing systems
Awareness on major diseases such as Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Black Quarter (BQ), Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS), and parasitic infections
Input Distribution:
As part of the outreach, NRC-Yak distributed various essential supplies to yak herders, including:
Animal feed and salt
Tarpaulins and gumboots
Solar lights
Veterinary medicines
Additionally, field samples were collected for the SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) project to aid in advancing genetic research on yaks. This collaborative initiative highlights the strong commitment of NRC-Yak, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, and the Indian Army toward supporting and empowering tribal yak herding communities in India’s remote high-altitude regions.
