The government has initiated a yak reintroduction drive in the Mechuka region of Arunachal Pradesh to revive traditional livestock practices and create livelihood opportunities for tribal communities. Six yaks — four females and two males — were distributed among farmers on Friday to help restore yak-based income in the high-altitude belt of the Shi-Yomi district, where the species has seen a decline over the years.
The programme also covered 45 farmers through awareness sessions on scientific yak rearing, coupled with input support under the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC), to enhance productivity and ensure long-term viability of the effort. The initiative was led by the ICAR–National Research Centre on Yak (ICAR–NRC on Yak), Dirang, under the chairmanship of its Director, Dr. Mihir Sarkar. The programme focused on promoting scientific yak husbandry practices in high-altitude regions, where traditional livestock systems remain central to local economies. The programme was implemented in collaboration with the Jomlo Mongku Mithun Farmers Federation (JMMFF) and the Animal Husbandry Department of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Officials involved in the initiative emphasised the role of institutional partnerships in expanding livestock-based interventions in remote tribal areas.
