Ovacık villagers practice traditional highland dairy farming

In the Ovacık district of Tunceli, villagers are engaging in traditional highland farming to produce dairy products. Residents from Gözeler, Havuzlu, and Şahverdi villages move their small livestock to high-altitude pastures in the Munzur and Mercan mountains during the summer months.

Living in tents at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters, these producers follow a rigorous daily routine of grazing animals and milking them twice a day. The milk is used to produce cheese, butter, and yogurt, which serve both personal consumption and as a primary source of income through sales.

Farmers face significant challenges, including unpredictable weather conditions and the need to protect livestock from predators such as bears, wolves, and jackals. Many rely on dogs for protection and use horses or tractors to navigate the difficult terrain.