1

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Yak Herding in Upper Ha

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Yak (Bos grunniens) is a ruminant species that are native of the Himalayan range and in the Qinghai-

Tibetan Plateau. They live in the regions at altitudes ranging from 2500 to 6000 meters above sea level,

with cold, semi-humid climate (Richard, Jainlin, Hanoote, McVeigh, & Rege, 2000). Although they are

important source of livelihood for the highlanders, their population is showing a decreasing trend

globally (Pal, n.d). Yak are found extensively on the plateau of western China in alpine and subalpine

regions at altitudes from 2, 000 – 5, 000 m with a cold climatic conditions. The majority of the yaks in

Mongolia are found in the Hangay and Hovsgol mountains and in the high altitude area of the

Mongolian Altai. Yak in Commonwealth of Independent States are distributed in the mountainous areas

on the borders with China and Mongolia from Pamir in the west to Lake Baikal in the east (Gerald,

Jiwnlin, & Ruijun, 2006). Yaks were also exported in European countries during the nineteenth century.

It was introduced to the high alpine areas of the northern Caucasus during 1970s and 1980s and was

also introduced to mountainous areas in northern China to increase utilization of the grasslands in these

cold areas (Suttie, Reynolds, & Batello, 2005).

In Bhutan, yak rearing is practiced in ten of the northern districts of Bumthang, Gasa, Ha, Lhuntse, Paro,

Thimphu, Tashigang, Tashi Yangtse, Wangduephodrang and Trongsa, located at an elevation ranging

from 1,000 to 5,600 meters above sea level (Department of Livestock, 2009). Total number of yak is

43144 in 2011 (Department of Livestock, 2011) accounting for 5.2% of the total livestock (Department of

Livestock, 2013). Presently Bhutan has total of 38011 yaks.

However, according to National Statistics Bureau (2011) the yak population and herd are rapidly

decreasing in Ha dzongkhag and especially in Katsho and Esu gewog. Total population of Yaks decreased

from 7765 yaks during 2005 to 3583 in the 2011 (Torsa Strict Nature Reserve, 2011).

Yak is a multi-purpose animal, providing its owners with milk (and the resultant milk products), meat,

hair and wool, hide, work as a draught animal (packing, riding, ploughing) and feces – important as fuel

in the absence of trees, but also as manure and as a building material. The yak is integrally associated

with the culture, religion and social life of its herders, their families and communities

Pastoral farming could have become socially and economically less attractive for reasons like, lack of

adequate services, inadequate infrastructure and degrading quality of pastures due to over grazing both

by domestic animals and wildlife. Due to difficult living conditions and minimal development services, it

could also lead to migration of members of rangeland communities to lowlands and urban centers, in

search of better economic opportunities and employment (Department Of Livestock, 2009).

Behavior of species mediates energy and material fluxes directly or may alter abiotic conditions (for

example, limiting resources, disturbance and climate) that regulate process rates (Science Foundation of

Ireland, 2014). The components like species richness, their relative abundances, the particular species

present (species composition), the interactions among species (non-additive effects), and the temporal

and spatial variation in these properties of species diversity determines the expression of traits.

Moreover, changes in any of the components effect the current functioning of ecosystems. Species

diversity also influences the resilience and resistance of ecosystems to environmental change. Since Yak

is a dominant species within the torsa strict nature reserve, any changes to its population and herding

pattern may lead to alteration of the biodiversity richness of the reserve park.

Thus, this study aims to determine the factors contributing to decline of yak population. It will also help

identify key interventions and allocate resources for the development of targeted highlanders under 11th

five year plan.

2 Literature review

2.1 Importance of yak Husbandry

2.1.1 Service to livelihood

Although the Yak population is relatively insignificant in global terms, it is critical to the livelihood

security of the herders in a rather difficult environment. In the high altitude areas of Bhutan at

elevations higher than 3000 masl, yak production has been the main source of livelihood for people

inhabiting this rugged landscape (Jamtsho, 1996). The high altitude rangelands covering the northern

belts of several districts starting from Ha in the west to Trashigang in the east provide fodder for

livestock, medicinal and incense plants as well as fuel wood and other edible and non -edible minor

produce for sustaining the livelihoods of semi-nomadic pastoral communities living in these areas. Thus,

Management of these pastoral areas are important through rearing of yak.

2.1.2 Service in other forms

Yaks also play special roles in the religious and cultural life of the herder's society. They are closely tied

to the social customs and identity of the herder communities. In recent years, yak are increasingly being

used in the high altitude tours and trekking industries (Dorji T. , 2014). Furthermore, Yaks by their nature

can efficiently convert these high altitude grasslands into sources of energy for human use at no

opportunity cost (Ura K. , 1993) and yak herders complemented border security personnel as their

presence in the bordering alpine area served to safeguard the land (Wangmo, 2012 ). In summer

pastures, in the alpine vegetation, yak dung is the only source of fuel.

2.2 Factors affecting yak herding

2.2.1 Degradation of Pasture land and fodder grasses

In Yushu prefecture of china, rangeland deterioration was the main reason for the decline of the yak

production in Qinghai from its former foremost position in China (Gerald, Jiwnlin, & Ruijun, 2006). The

grassland resources and the highland pastures are shared with a wide variety of wild animals such as

takin (Budorcus taxicolor), blue sheep (Pseudovis nayaur), sambar (Cervus unicolor) and musk deer

(Moschus chrysogaster) (Richard, Jainlin, Hanoote, McVeigh, & Rege, 2000). More over the increase in

population of these animals and especially the bluesheep due to decrease in population of its predator

affected the abundance of the fodder grasses.

Limited pastureland and over grazing are also threatening the culture of yak husbandry mainly due to

shortage of fodder in winter (Behnke, 2003). Overgrazing is not caused by the yaks alone but also by

blue sheep, domestic sheep, and horses graze over the same pastureland throughout the year. Since

yaks need large area of grazing land, its important to have a sufficient pasture for their survival and

productivity (Zangmo, 2012). The issue of insufficient pasture lands intensified after they were declared

as the state property and, to some extent, converted into community forests. (Wangdi, 2012)

2.2.2 Policy implications

Herders had customary grazing rights over traditional grazing areas prior to land act 2007, however

according to land act of Bhutan 2007, all the pasture lands belongs to state (Royal Government of

Bhutan, 2007). Declaration of the pastureland as state property and restricting the controlled burning of

pasturelands for the better regeneration of the grass also imposes a challenge to the herders for

traditional management systems of yak rearing. Moreover, Bhutan has also set up over the year a strong

environmental policy: the constitution states that the forest must cover at least 60% of the territory

(RGoB, 2008) and in 2008, 50% of the country was falling under protected areas, including most of the

rangelands where the herders graze their yaks. This conservation policy may have protected the natural

resources. But the ban of fire, the control over the forest resources and the prohibition to kill wildlife

could possibly interfere with the traditional herders’ management practices.

2.2.3 Rural urban migration

The phenomenon of migration has become alarming as more people drift in to urban areas in search of

better living conditions. According to Census 2005, 51% of the population had migrated which incl udes

temporary and permanent migration and rural to urban and urban to rural migration (Ura k. , 2013). A

research carried out in Bhutan by Chand from Kumaun University in 2010 shows that 31.14% of sample

households from 1972 household have permanently left their villages (Chand, 2014). Rural-urban

migration has huge impact on agriculture production. Labour shortage is the first and foremost impact

of rural-urban migration.

2.2.4 Disease and other factors

Diseases in yak are also barring the individuals from taking up yak husbandry. According to Gyamtsho

(1996) gid and tick-borne diseases are very common in Bhutan that kill yaks when they are very weak in

spring. Although, free veterinary services are available in the country, however Yak herders are

scattered and isolated (Dorji, Roder, & Tshering, 2003). Attack by predators, yearly slaughter of adult

yaks for meat for their lochoe and sale of adult yaks for meat in Paro and Thimphu towns during winter

can also affect the number of yaks. Since many of the yak herders are located on the border, trans-

boundary issues will also hinder the livestock rearing in these areas. (Pem, 2007)

3. Aims and Objective

1. Identify socio-cultural factors influencing yak herding

2. Analyze cost benefit of the yak rearing

4 Materials and Method

4.1 Study area

Ha dzongkhag is located at latitude of 27° 15' 54.6008" N and longitude of 89° 10' 14.1593" E. Dzongkhag is

1,897.18 sq. km in area of which Bje, katsho, eusu Geogs covers the total area of 943 sq km. 33.06 % (627. 25)

of the total area is under Tsamdro (pasture land) (Dorji K. , 2013). Presently the three gewogs has total 161

households rearing yak which decreased to 66 in 2013 (National Statistical Bureau, 2013).

Table showing the yak rearing at present and its trend in the past

4.2 Selection of site and sampling

The study will be conducted in three gewogs of Bjee, Katsho and Esu gewogs since yak rearing in Ha is

confined to these three gewogs.

1. Household listing

All Households rearing yak within past 10 years will be listed with

reference to the livestock record in extension offices of three geogs.

This is important in order to understand the degree of yak herding

and severity of declining yak population in three geogs.

1. Household selection or sampling

gewog Population(2013) Total no. of villages rearing yak

Households raring yak Yak population

Past 20 yrs present

katsho 1033 7 77 25

1374

Bjee 1103 5 57 35

3982

Esu 912 6 27 11

501

For this survey, 40% of the total household rearing yak on or after 2005 will be taken. To avoid bias, the

selection of the respondents will be carried out based on random sampling method by Random Number

Generation of the head of the households who rear yak on or after 2005 using Microsoft excel 2010.

4.3 Data collection

For this study, both primary and secondary data will be collected with both the closed and open ended

questionnaire. Information such as trends in yak population and yak rearing culture would be acquired through secondary source while primary data would be collected through survey and questionnaires.

For the purpose of primary data collection, set of questionnaires will be prepared covering all the social

issues that affects the yak rearing such as pasture land degradation, wildlife attack, diseases, cost and

benefit. It will also include the political challendges such as policy changes and environment protection

policies. Questionnaires will be in semi-structured format which include both structured and non-structured questions.

4.4 Sampling Methods

The validity of the sample survey depends on the absence of bias which would alter the result

proportionately. Therefore, preventive measures will be taken into account. Sample selection shall be

done through absolute random sampling of the households rearing yak during past 10 years (2005),

where every household in the cluster gets equal chance to be selected in sample (each gewog will be considered as one cluster).

In order to achieve validate information; minimum 60 household will be selected for the survey. Survey

will be carried out in all three chiwogs with different sample size depending on their total household rearing yak and its relation to sample size.

Total % of the yak herders= total no. of households rearing yak/total no of households rearing yak in the dzongkhag

% of yak rearing =𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑎𝑘 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝑤𝑜𝑔

𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑎𝑘 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑘ℎ𝑎𝑔× 100

From the above equation we derive total %contribution to the yak herders within the dzongkhag

Now,

total no of samples =% of yak rearing

100× 60 (desired number of samples)

After determining the total households to be selected from each cluster, the lottery system will be done

for the selection of the households. All the households rearing yak in each Gewog will be listed on the

paper and randomly picked from the box. However, only determined number of households will be

selected from each Gewog.

4.5 Data analysis

Data will be analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22 will be extensively.

Comparative and association analysis between the variables will be performed by using correlation and

to see the relation between social factors and declining yak population.

5. Expected results

This research will help in;

Understanding of factors (including social, cultural, economic factors) contributing to yak

rearing culture and its population.

This paper will contribute to the understanding of key roles played by yak rearing in social life

of Haps.

Finally this paper will serve as a reference point for concerned authority in decision making.

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