Sikkim Hosts First Himalayan Yak Festival Near China Border To Protect Yak Population

Sikkim has launched its first-ever Himalayan Yak Festival in Gnathang Valley, close to the India-China border, to draw attention to yak conservation and the livelihoods of communities that depend on the animal. Organised by the state's Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, the event began on October 28 and brings together herders, officials and visitors.

It also seeks to promote tourism in high-altitude areas and make yak rearing more sustainable. With hundreds of yaks and stalls showcasing yak products and breeding developments, the festival highlights concerns over declining yak numbers and the need to encourage younger generations to continue this occupation.

Speaking to reporters, Lepcha said the gathering was intended to connect herders, raise awareness about their concerns and encourage government support. ALSO READ | Can You Visit Kartarpur Sahib In Pakistan Without A Visa?

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He told ANI that many had moved away from the occupation because it offered limited financial returns. Speaking to ANI, Lachungpa said, “…Many of our youngsters were drifting away from the yak-rearing community; they were reluctant to engage in it because it was not profitable… This initiative helps us encourage our youth to return to yak herding.” #WATCH | Gnathang Valley, Sikkim: The first-ever 'Sikkim Himalayan Yak Festival' kicked off in the high-altitude Gnathang Valley near the India-China border.

Organised by the State's Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department, the event aims to highlight yak conservation, boost high-altitude tourism, and promote sustainable livelihoods for pastoral communities in vibrant border villages.

(28.10) He added that the event had brought together people from different states, allowing them to exchange knowledge about yak rearing, local cultures and traditional ways of life. Lachungpa also highlighted the value of cooperation between states in responding to disease outbreaks among yaks.

He raised concerns about the declining yak population across the Himalayan region, particularly in Sikkim near the Chinese border. In his view, government measures such as purchasing yak-based products and offering incentives to herders could help protect the animals while making the occupation more viable.

Lachungpa also proposed establishing a 'Himalayan Pole', which he referred to as the 'Yak Pole', to recognise the yak's importance to the region and strengthen efforts to protect it. “Currently, the world is viewed through two poles, the North Pole and the South Pole.

We propose to establish a third pole: the 'Himalayan Pole,' which we could also call the 'Yak Pole.' The goal is to safeguard our unique identity, the Yak, which is native to the Himalayas and not found anywhere else. If we don't take this step now, it might soon be too late, and someone else could lay claim to what is rightfully ours…” he said.

The first Himalayan Yak Festival comes as herders and officials look for ways to address the declining yak population, support border communities and preserve traditional livelihoods. Its organisers hope the event will help sustain yak rearing and encourage more young people to take up the practice.

This proposal seeks to establish a 'third pole' to recognize the yak's unique identity and importance in the Himalayas. Its goal is to strengthen efforts to protect this native animal. Vijaya Mishra is a Copy Editor at ABP Live English, with a sharp eye for detail in entertainment journalism.

Her passion lies in Bollywood, global actors, and the vibrant entertainment industries worldwide. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), she balances her professional life with a love for literature and music.

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