Mechuka, April 4: In a move aimed at reviving traditional livestock practices, a yak reintroduction programme has been launched in the Mechuka region of Shi-Yomi district to strengthen livelihood opportunities for tribal communities in the high-altitude belt.
As part of the initiative, six yaks — including four females and two males — were distributed among local farmers to restore yak-based economic activity, which has declined over the years due to a shrinking population of the species. Officials said the programme also emphasises capacity building, with around 45 farmers trained through awareness sessions on scientific yak rearing practices.
The initiative is being implemented by the ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak under the leadership of Mihir Sarkar, in collaboration with the Jomlo Mongku Mithun Farmers Federation and the state Animal Husbandry Department. It is supported under the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC), which provides inputs aimed at improving productivity and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Officials described the programme as a key intervention not only for conserving yak populations but also for promoting sustainable income generation in one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most remote and ecologically sensitive regions.
