Double humped camel in Ladakh – ICAR efforts are in progress to improve milk yield and their utility in tourism
High altitude research led to recognition and improvement of livestock in cold deserts. Successful blending of yak fibres with jute, developed fabrics for various uses. Complete feed block technology improved nutritional status of yak. ICAR has played a keyrole in the conservation, breeding and health management of mithun thus making its rearing a sustainable commercial venture.
Yak habitat is between 3,000 m and 6,000 m in the mountains of Leh (Ladakh), Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Yak rearing is a way of life and a major means of sustenance of the economically and socially deprived resource poor people. It is a multi-purpose animal that provides milk, meat, fibre, hide and dung; and thrives at places where other animals are unable to sustain. Yaks are also used as pack animals for transportation of household goods and also for riding.