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National Yak Day: Honoring Himalayan Heritage and Advancing Sustainable Mountain Food System

-By Prabin Gurung

Nepal’s First National Yak Day highlighted the vital role of yaks in sustaining Himalayan livelihoods, culture, and ecosystems. As the pioneering yak range country in the Hindu Kush Himalaya to establish this observance, Nepal is amplifying awareness of yak pastoralism and its importance. Strengthening the yak value chain offers a unique opportunity to advance Nepal’s agricultural sector, promoting climate-resilient food systems and expanding sustainable dairy markets.

On April 20, 2025, Nepal celebrated its First National Yak Day, marking a historic milestone in recognizing the vital role of yaks in preserving Himalayan livelihoods, culture, and environment. Nepal is the first yak range country in the Hindu Kush Himalaya to declare a national day dedicated to yaks, shining a much-needed spotlight on yak pastoralism and its significance to high-altitude communities. This celebration was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), ICIMOD, FAO, and Heifer Nepal, demonstrating a shared commitment to yak conservation and sustainable mountain livelihoods.

What is Yak?

A yak (Bos grunniens) is a hardy, long-haired bovine native to the Himalayan region and Central Asia, adapted to high-altitude, cold climates. Yaks provide milk, meat, fiber, and transport, playing a vital role in Himalayan pastoralism, food security, and cultural traditions. In English, “yak” is often used to refer to both sexes, but traditionally, “nak” or “dri” distinguishes the female.

The Importance of Yak Pastoralism

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in Nepal’s 27 mountain districts have long relied on yaks for economic sustenance and cultural identity. However, yak pastoralism is under threat from climate change, environmental degradation, socio-economic shifts, and extreme weather events. Historically, cross-border genetic exchange sustained yak populations, maintaining their herd vitality and productivity. But movement restrictions have led to genetic erosion, signaling the expired need for modern germplasm exchange to restore yak herds.

Strengthening the Yak Economy

Yak hybrids are crucial in expanding access to varied altitudes and resources, supporting agropastoral communities despite shifting conditions. Traditional knowledge embedded in folk taxonomy highlights the expertise of Indigenous yak-rearing practices. Beyond herding, the yak economy can be strengthened through value chain development, including sustainable tourism, high-value dairy products, and ethical wool production.

Additionally, Himalayan rangelands face threats from climate change, requiring restoration and management to ensure livelihood support, carbon sequestration, freshwater sources, wildlife habitats, and cultural tourism. Recognizing pastoralists as stewards of these landscapes is vital for environmental conservation and economic sustainability. Notably, UNESCO declared transhumance as Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 5, 2023, underscoring its crucial role in preserving traditions and ecosystems.

Key Voices from National Yak Day

During the First National Yak Day event, Dr. Tirtha Regmi, Country Director of Heifer Nepal, highlighted Heifer Nepal’s transformative role in agriculture and livestock development across Nepal. He provided insights into the Milky Way Project, which has transformed Nepal’s dairy sector by empowering farmers, strengthening cooperatives, and enhancing market resilience. Dr. Regmi reaffirmed Heifer Nepal’s commitment to promoting yak herding, recognizing its essential role in preserving biodiversity and cultural heritage. His speech emphasized the importance of integrating traditional practices with modern solutions to ensure livelihood sustainability and ecological conservation.

Similarly, Mr. Ken Shimizu, FAO Country Representative for Bhutan and Nepal, reiterated FAO’s dedication to empowering yak herding communities and strengthening Nepal’s yak value chain from production to market. He detailed FAO’s collaborative efforts with the Department of Livestock Services through the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) program, improving animal health and disease management. He also emphasized FAO’s partnerships with organizations such as ICIMOD, the International Mountain Partnership Secretariat, and Nepal’s Ministry of Forest and Environment to enhance high-value mountain products like yak cheese and honey.

Recognizing the declining youth participation in farming, Mr. Shimizu shared FAO’s work with Civil Society Organizations to establish the World Food Forum Nepal Youth Chapter, ensuring future sustainability in yak pastoralism. Additionally, he mentioned FAO’s Digital Village Initiative, advancing technology for farming communities and fostering private sector partnerships to strengthen financing for the yak sector.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari, underscored yak farming’s critical contributions to income generation, food security, organic agriculture, and ecological balance in Nepal’s high-altitude regions. He highlighted pressing challenges, including geographical limitations, migration, restricted grazing areas, breeding difficulties, wildlife threats, and climate change, calling for collective action to preserve yak populations. Minister Adhikari emphasized that yak conservation aligns with food security, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and rural development. He also announced that April 20 (7th Baishakh) is now officially designated as National Yak Day, reinforcing the importance of yaks in Nepal’s agricultural landscape. Furthermore, he unveiled the Yak Genetic Resource Centre in Syangboche, Solukhumbu, aimed at conserving and promoting yak pastoralism in Nepal.

Opportunities for Heifer Nepal in Mountain Regions

Heifer Nepal has established a strong presence in the Terai and Hilly regions, advancing agriculture and livestock development. Expanding its operations into mountainous regions presents an opportunity to integrate yak farming into Nepal’s broader agricultural framework.

1. Strengthening Yak & Chauri Value Chains
   • Develop processing units for yak dairy and fiber products.
   • Implement branding and certification for premium yak cheese, butter, and wool.
   • Collaborate with research institutions for genetic conservation.
2. Enhancing Food Systems & Market Integration
   • Encourage organic farming around yak herding.
   • Facilitate value-added dairy products.
   • Establish cooperative business models to benefit herding communities.
3. Investing in Climate Adaptation & Food Security
   • Advocate for yak farming in climate policies.
   • Support low-emission livestock practices using yak’s efficiency.
   • Push for national policy frameworks preserving Indigenous traditions.

Linking Yak Farming with Heifer Nepal’s Milky Way Project

Heifer Nepal’s Milky Way Project has revolutionized Nepal’s dairy sector by empowering farmers, strengthening cooperatives, and improving market systems. Expanding this program to integrate yak dairy can extend Heifer’s impact to Nepal’s high-altitude communities, aligning yak dairy production with the broader Milky Way Signature Program.

Yak dairy perfectly aligns with the Milky Way Project by contributing to high-value, sustainable food systems in high-altitude regions. Yak milk is nutrient-rich with higher fat content than cow’s milk, making it ideal for local consumption and premium markets. By incorporating yak milk into dairy value chains, Heifer Nepal can:

• Enhance Rural Livelihoods – Provide market access for yak herding communities.
• Strengthen Dairy Cooperatives – Establish yak milk cooperatives with fair pricing models.
• Promote High-Value Dairy Products – Yak cheese, butter, and milk can command premium prices in organic markets.
• Advance Climate-Resilient Dairy Farming – Yaks require fewer resources than imported livestock, making dairy production more sustainable.

Way Forward- A Strategic Expansion for Heifer Nepal

Integrating yak farming into the Milky Way Program ensures that mountain communities benefit from improved dairy production and market access. By modernizing yak-based value chains, Heifer Nepal can drive economic opportunities, food security, and biodiversity conservation for high-altitude herding communities.

Yak dairy presents an untapped opportunity for Nepal’s agricultural economy, enabling climate-resilient food systems and sustainable dairy market expansion. By linking yak herding with the Milky Way Project, Heifer Nepal can establish a pioneering model for high-altitude dairy systems, ensuring long-term prosperity for mountain pastoralists while securing food security in remote Himalayan regions.

This strategic approach would diversify Nepal’s dairy sector while reinforcing Heifer Nepal’s commitment to strengthening rural livelihoods and preserving cultural heritage through sustainable yak farming. The time is ripe for Heifer Nepal to expand into the Himalayas and transform yak farming into a thriving component of Nepal’s dairy sector.