ICAR-National Research Centre Mela on Yak Draws Crowd at Mandala 

GUWAHATI: The ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang organised the sixth Yak Mela with a day-long programme on Monday at 12000 ft. at Mandala Top, the pristine highlands of nomadic yak rearers, West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh as a part of the institute’s strategy for promotion and Conservation of yak in the Eastern Himalayas. The mela was organized in collaboration with the district administration of Dirang Circle, Fourth Bn. ITBP Force, Dirang, 30th SSB Dirang and the Construction Committee 108 Mane, Mandala, stated a release.

The programme started with various competitions conducted by the institute among the brokpas, and their yaks as well in their natural habitat to encourage and attract the farmers towards yak rearing. An exhibition was arranged where ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak showcased an extensive range of its developed products and technologies to encourage the yak-rearing community for adoption of scientific yak husbandry practices and to inculcate entrepreneurship among the youths. Members of the Brokpa community along with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dirang, National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, CHC, Dirang also showcased their activities during the Mela.

The Yak Mela was graced by Phurpa Tsering, MLA as the chief guest. In his inaugural address, the chief guest appreciated the efforts of ICAR-NRC on Yak in promoting yak husbandry and enriching the livelihood of yak farmers which has resulted in increase in yak population in Arunachal Pradesh. While appealing to the Brokpa community to adopt the technologies developed by ICAR-NRC on yak, he desired the institute to extend its activities to other yak rearing States to benefit the farmers there. The guest of honour, Prof. Saket Kushwaha, VC, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar in his speech encouraged the farmers to continue the yak farming to improve their livelihood taking advantage of the support of ICAR-NRC on yak and other organizations. He also assured to extend his help and co-operation towards higher education of the students of the region.

The programme was also graced by S.S. Vaseeharan, DGM, NABARD, Itanagar, Toko Babu, ADC, Dirang Pankaj Kumar, Commandant 4 th ITBP, Rohit Pandey, Dy. Commandant 30 th SSB along with other dignitaries including the HoDs of Dirang Circle. The yak farmers also expressed their views and appreciated the help and support of ICAR-NRC on Yak.

Earlier, Dr. P. Chakravarty, Director, ICAR-NRC on Yak, welcoming the dignitaries, guests and all other participants, highlighted the objective of the Yak Mela that aims to promote scientific yak husbandry practices in the country. More than 300 farmers of different pockets of West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh participated in the Mela.

Darge Tseing was adjudged the Best Brokpa of the year. MLA Phurpa Tsering, Dirang and other dignitaries distributed the awards and inputs during the occasion.

The ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak provided support with basic amenities like concentrate feed, common salt, mineral mixture, feeding pans, vegetable crates, steel buckets, belchas, khurpis, kodalis, solar lamps, and tarpaulins among other materials in the mela. Dr. D.Medhi, Sr. Scientist and organizing secretary proposed the vote of thanks on the occasion.

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