Bureau celebrated Biodiversity Day with pastoralists and livestock keepers in high altitudes of Arunachal Pradesh

On 22^nd May 2024, ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources celebrated International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) with yak pastoralists in Arunachal Pradesh in collaboration with ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak (NRCY), Dirang and Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development (AHVDD), Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh. Around 120 yak pastoralist farmers of the West Kameng and Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh, ICAR scientists, senior officers of AHVDD, staff of NRCY attended the program. On the line of the IDB theme “Be Part of the Plan” for this year; the program for “Enabling Arunachali Yak Breeders and Preserving Pastoralism” was organized at ICAR- National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang (Arunachal Pradesh).

Dr Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR, Chief Guest of the function felicitated yak pastoralists on the occasion. He greeted the delegates on the occasion of IBD and congratulated yak herders for promoting and conserving yak farming and preserving age old practices.  Addressing to the pastoralists and other delegates, he said yak population has been increased in the state; indicating better future prospects. For promoting yaks in the region, utilization of the yak milk products is to be enhanced. Yak milk might have unique properties beneficial for human health; which need to be characterized. Unique biomolecules present in yak milk may be benefitted for its value addition and creating demand. He showed concern about climate change and urged for conducting the research for sustainability of yak production in future.

Dr Danjan Longri, Director, Dept. of AHV&DD, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh and Guest of Honour on the occasion informed various state schemes under vibrant village program. Department is now committed to promote yak and mithun in the state and informed that Conservation plan for yak / mithun has also been prepared.

Dr B P Mishra, Director, ICAR-NBAGR during his presentation on the IDB theme, gave the importance of the biodiversity preservation. He narrated Bureau’s efforts for the AnGR diversity preservation in the country. He informed that Bureau has identified indigenous breeds at risk, for which conservation efforts have been initiated. Germplasm of two-third breeds at risk has been cryopreserved along with many indigenous breeds in National Gene Bank. Further, to reduce the non-descript population, Bureau has also identified new populations, including many new potential populations in NER in Mission mode. These breeds are now being characterized through Country-wide Network of centres.

Dr Mihir Sarkar, Director, ICAR-NRCY welcomed the delegates. He informed about various initiatives taken after the registration of Arunachali as first indigenous yak breed, which created enthusiasm among yak breeders and other stakeholders.  Because of the efforts of the NRCY, yak churpi has now been registered as Geographical Indication (GI). For promotion of Arunachali yak in the region, a society has also been established with the efforts of the institute.

During the program, progressive Arunachali Yak breeders from 10 villages were felicitated by the Chief Guest.  He also distributed the inputs to the yak herders. Dr Bhatta also launched the Logo of the ‘Arunachal Pradesh Yak Herders & Products Development Cooperative Society Ltd’. A MoU for ‘Sustainable Utilization, Promotion and Improvement of Arunachali Yak’ was signed between ICAR-NBAGR, NRC-Yak & the Society during the IDB celebration. During the Interface session on approaches for promotion of yak herders and products, various presentations on yak production, technologies, policies, ESS etc. were made by the scientists of NBAGR, NRCY and officer of Dept. of AHV&DD. Secretary of the Society talked about activities and expectation of the yak society for promotion of yak herders and products during the interface. Dr S K Niranjan, PS, NBAGR and Dr K Mepfhuo, Scientist, NRCY coordinated the IDB 2024 event.

In the series of celebration, Dr Bhatta on 23^rd May 2024 inaugurated ‘Tibetan Sheep Conservation Unit’ at Regional Sheep Breeding Farm, Dept. of AHV&DD, Sangti, Dirang under ICAR-Network Project (NWP) on AnGR. Directors of NBAGR, NRCY, Deptt. of AHV&DD were also present on the occasion. Tibetan sheep of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh is at risk of extinction as per the Breed Watchlist 2022.

During three days long visit to Arunachal Pradesh; DDG (AS), ICAR visited yak highland pastures at SeLa pass and breeding tract of indigenous Monbah cattle at Tawang. He also interacted with yak pastoralists in highland pastures and Monbah cattle breeders in Dirang and Tawang.

Signing MoU for promoting yak

Visiting field areas of Monbah cattle in highland region

Inauguration of Tibetan Sheep Conservation Unit at RSBF, Sangti, Dirang