Sikkim’s first Himalayan Yak Festival has renewed calls for yak conservation, with a proposal to establish a ‘Himalayan Pole’ or ‘Yak Pole’ to highlight the animal’s unique importance to the region.
Sikkim has renewed efforts to conserve its declining yak population with a proposal to establish a ‘Himalayan Pole’, also known as the ‘Yak Pole’, recognising the animal’s ecological, cultural and economic importance to Himalayan communities.
The proposal was put forward by Thupden Lachungpa, an executive member of the Yak Federation of India, during the state’s first Himalayan Yak Festival, which began on October 28 in Gnathang Valley near the India-China border.
Organised by Sikkim’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, the festival aims to protect yak populations, promote tourism in high altitude regions and support the livelihoods of traditional herding communities.
Lachungpa said the proposed third global pole would help highlight the yak as an animal native to the Himalayas and strengthen awareness of the region’s distinctive identity. He warned that declining yak numbers and the weakening of traditional herding practices made conservation efforts increasingly urgent.
The inaugural festival brought together yak herders, government officials and visitors to discuss conservation breeding techniques and the future of yak rearing. Around 400–500 yaks were present, alongside stalls displaying yak based products and developments in artificial insemination to improve breeding.
Gnathang Machong MLA Pamin Lepcha said preparations had continued despite the harsh weather conditions typical of the high altitude border region. Organisers expressed hope that the festival would become an annual event.
Declining yak numbers raise concerns
Yak herding remains an important source of livelihood for communities in Sikkim and other Himalayan regions. However, the occupation faces growing challenges, including declining animal populations and limited financial returns.
According to Lachungpa, many young people have been moving away from yak rearing because it is no longer sufficiently profitable. He called for greater government support, including incentives for herders and assistance in purchasing yak based products, to make the traditional occupation more sustainable.
The festival also offers a platform for herders from different states to exchange knowledge about animal husbandry, local cultures and traditional practices. Better coordination between regions could also help authorities respond more effectively to disease outbreaks affecting yak populations.
Conservation through sustainable livelihoods
Participants highlighted the importance of improved breeding methods, including artificial insemination, in supporting yak conservation. Showcasing yak-based products and encouraging high-altitude tourism could also create additional income opportunities for herding communities.
The proposed ‘Himalayan Pole’ aims to bring wider recognition to the yak and the people whose livelihoods depend on it. Organisers hope that increased awareness, stronger institutional support and greater opportunities for younger generations will help preserve traditional yak rearing.
The initiative reflects a broader conservation challenge in the Himalayas protecting native animals while ensuring that the communities living alongside them can maintain sustainable livelihoods.