Pema Khandu proposes yak herders’ cooperative to boost Himalayan livelihoods

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has proposed a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen yak conservation and enhance the livelihoods of Himalayan herders. Speaking at the Yak Economy Summit 2026 and Yak Mela in the Tawang district, Khandu emphasized that yak rearing is a vital component of the social, cultural, and strategic landscape of the Himalayan region.

A key proposal includes the establishment of the Arunachal Pradesh Yak Herders and Products Development Cooperative Society. This framework aims to help herders pool resources, improve bargaining power, and access broader markets for commercially viable yak-based products. Khandu noted that supporting Brokpa communities and other herders in remote border areas is also a matter of national security.

The proposed roadmap will involve coordination between the Indian Army, the ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, and various government departments to manage livestock and conservation efforts. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for February to review progress and identify necessary policy interventions from both state and central governments.