Minister urges scientists to aid yak husbandry

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh urban development, tourism and art & culture minister Pema Khandu has urged scientists to identify major problems related to yak husbandry in the region and find out cost-effective solutions.
Inaugurating the Yak Mela 2014 at Chhaghar Grazing Ground and Outdoor Stadium Jang, Tawang, organized by the ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, on Tuesday, Pema highlighted the importance of yak husbandry in the economy of the highlanders and appreciated the efforts made by the institute for promotion of research on the rearing of the multipurpose animal.
Brigadier B B Saini, 46 Infantry Brigade, Indian Army and Tawang deputy commissioner Abhisek Dev were also present at the event to encourage yak rearing community from adopting scientific practices and make yak husbandry a profitable venture.
S M Deb, director, ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak said the objective of the Yak Mela was to promote scientific yak husbandry practices in Tawang. Deb assured the nomadic herdsmen that ICAR-NRCY will go an extra mile for the sustainable development of yak husbandry.
A livestock competition was also organized at Chaghar Grazing field. Over 1000 yak and yak cattle hybrids were brought for the competition. The best female yak award was given to Leki Dhondup of Marmong village. Phuntso Dorjee of Punglo village won an award for the best Dzomo (Yak-Cattle Hybrid-female yak) and Kesang Zonten of Mago village for his best yak bull.
The major attractions of the fair were its exhibition stalls which displayed yak milk product preparations and ethnic items. The exhibition stall from Jang was awarded the best stall prize. More than 2,000 farmers, including 300 yak rearers from different corners of Tawang districts, took part in the fair.
ICAR-NRCY provided 100 yak rearers with basic amenities like tarpolin, raincoats, gumboots, mineral mixture, milking bucket, concentrate mixture, common salt, blanket, calcium preparation and solar emergency lights. Nomadic yak herdsmen were registered for opening of bank accounts under the Pardhanmantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Aadhar card bank account with the help of State Bank of India, Jang Branch and district authorities.
The mela was organized in collaboration with 46 Infantry Brigade, Indian Army, veterinary and animal husbandry department, Tawang and Jang sports club.