Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday, 17 October 2026, called for a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen yak conservation, uplift yak herder livelihoods, and unlock the commercial potential of yak-based products, addressing the Yak Economy Summit 2026 and Yak Mela at Mago in Tawang district. He stressed the urgent need for targeted policy interventions from both the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Centre for traditional yak-rearing communities across the Himalayan belt.

Strategic and Cultural Stakes

Khandu underscored that yak rearing is far more than a pastoral livelihood — it is deeply woven into the social, cultural, and strategic fabric of the Himalayan region, stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. He pointed to the national security dimension of supporting Brokpa communities, who inhabit some of India's most remote and strategically significant border zones. 'From the perspective of national security, it is our duty to support our Brokpa communities and yak herders through appropriate policy interventions,' Khandu said at the summit.

This framing — linking pastoral welfare to border security — reflects a growing policy consensus that frontier communities are a critical first line of strategic presence in sensitive Himalayan territories.

Yak Federation and Regional Cooperation

The Chief Minister noted that yak associations have now been established in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh, with these regional bodies now federated under the Yak Federation of India. Khandu recalled participating virtually in the Federation's inaugural programme in Ladakh, describing the deliberations at Mago as significant for the entire country, not just Arunachal Pradesh.

A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for February — within three months — to review progress and present a formal roadmap for advancing the initiative.

Key Policy Proposals

Khandu outlined several concrete measures that the roadmap is expected to address. Comprehensive mapping of yak populations, herders, and their seasonal migration routes — covering both summer and winter grazing camps — was identified as a prerequisite for infrastructure planning and sustainable herd management.

The Chief Minister called for the establishment of the Arunachal Pradesh Yak Herders and Products Development Cooperative Society, arguing that a cooperative model would strengthen herders' market access, bargaining power, and ability to build viable businesses. He also advocated for a Brokpa-friendly grazing tax regime, particularly for winter grazing grounds, and for basic amenities at satellite stations used by herding communities.

The proposed roadmap is expected to draw in the Indian Army, the ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak (ICAR-NRCY), and relevant government departments for a coordinated, sustainable approach. Khandu also called for adoption of the semi-intensive yak-rearing model developed by ICAR-NRCY.

Commercial Potential of Yak Products

Highlighting the economic upside, Khandu expressed confidence that yak dairy products — particularly yak cheese and yak ghee — could establish a strong commercial presence if developed and marketed effectively, potentially competing with established brands. He called for stronger value chains for yak milk products and fibre, and urged investors and entrepreneurs to improve processing and market access.

Livelihood diversification was also highlighted: yak-based income could extend to cottage stays, guiding services, and the sale of local crafts, broadening the economic base for herding communities beyond animal husbandry alone.

Social Inclusion and What Comes Next

The summit additionally flagged the need to explore education-linked proposals for yak herders under the National Livelihood Mission framework. The possibility of extending special-category recognition to Brokpa and Puroik communities was also raised for consideration.

With a follow-up meeting set for February and a multi-stakeholder roadmap in the works, the initiative could mark a turning point in how India's border pastoral economy is governed — provided political momentum translates into durable policy.