PANCHTHAR – The centuries-old tradition of yak farming is on the verge of extinction in mountainous districts of Nepal after an increasing number of youths has started changing profession. Yak husbandry is a traditional profession in Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung, among other mountainous districts.
There were 40 yak sheds in Panchthar district until a few years ago. But the number has not come down to 31. Phalelung Rural Municipality-23 has 23 sheds, and Yangwarak has 8 sheds. “Though the yak farming is a profitable occupation, nowadays it is harder to find workers after the youths started leaving for gulf countries as migrant workers,” said Chandra Prasad Kaphle.
Kaphle has now switched to cow rearing from yak farming. He moved to Birtamod in Jhapa district and started cow farming.
“I abandon Yak farming occupation after it became difficult to find workers,” said Dilli Prasad Kerung, a former yak farmer of Phalelung-5.
Garjaman Gurung, of Yangwarak Rural Municipality-1, has quit yak farming and opened a boarding school at Chyang Thapu market and Karna Bahadur Baniya, a former yak farmer of Siding Rural Municipality-1in Taplejung, has started a grocery shop in Phalaicha market of the district.
Kaphle believes that around a dozen yak farmers have switched occupation in Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung districts. Rajendra Rai, a yak farmer of Phalelung-6, says the yak farming is a distinct way of living and has its own importance as it is linked with the human life and culture even though it looks similar to other profession. “We make Chhurpi [traditional cheese] from yak milk. Yak is also a means of transport for the people of mountainous region. Yak is also an environment-friendly vocation,” said Rai.
Vice vice chairman of Phalelung yak farmers group, Jang Prasad Rai, who recently returned from China after observing yak farming, said he learnt that people can take advantage from each and every part of yak.
“We have a special relation with yak, our worship will be incomplete without the meat of yak, the tail and hair of yak is necessary in our rituals,” said Lumle Bhotia. “I think our culture will collapse if the yak become extinct.”
The tail of Yak is considered auspicious by all major religions of Nepal Hinud, Bouddha and Kirat. People keep yak tails at Hindu temple, Manghim monastery (Temple of Limbu community and Rai community), said Rinji Shrepa, chairman of Panchthar district coordination council of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities.
Since April 14, 2017, (Baisakh1, 2074 BS, the New Year’s Day according to Nepali calendar) Yak Festival is being organized for the conservation and promotion of yak. Chairman of Phalelung Kanchanjungha Tourism Promotion Committee, Dilli Prasad Kerung, said it has been made institutional decision to organize the festival every year.
“People have been offering Yak ride service to make money just like in Sikkim of India. They have been benefiting from this business as well,” said Shilpa Kumar Rai, Vice Chairman of Phalelung Kanchanjungha Eco-tourism and Promotion committee.
Chief Executive Officer of Deep Jyoti Youth Club Phalelung, Sunil Bantawa, thinks that it is indispensable to conserve the yaks as they are the jewel of mountains and an important part of the ecosystem of Himalayan region.
