मुख्य पृष्ठमा फर्कनुहोस् सम्पादकीय नीति र तथ्य जाँच

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Gangtok, August 31: In a unique display of Sikkim’s traditional yak-rearing culture blended with adventure sport, the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department, Mangan District, conducted a Yak Calf Rally at an altitude of 15,000 feet above sea level at Gochung and Lashar Valley in Lachen on August 29.

The event was organised under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) 2026–27, funded by the Sikkim Livestock Development Board (SLDB), with the objective of promoting yak husbandry and encouraging yak farmers in the high-altitude regions.

The rally was led by Additional Director Dr. Dechen O. Kaleon, accompanied by officials and staff of the department. The team undertook the approximately 18-km Gochung–Lashar–Byamzey trek through oxygen-thin high-altitude terrain to reach the yak-herding areas.

Eleven yak farmers, locally known as Drokpas, participated in the calf rally, with each farmer entering one or more calves. The calf owned by Tshering Choenden secured first position and a cash prize of ₹15,000, while Tshering Norbu’s calf stood second, winning ₹12,000. Pema Thinley’s calf secured third position with a prize of ₹10,000. The remaining eight participants received consolation prizes of ₹5,000 each.

The event also highlighted the significance of Sikkim’s indigenous yak population. The Sikkimese Yak has recently been recognised and registered as a distinct breed by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Government of India.

The Dongkong group of yak herders, comprising collectively around 1,831 yaks, traditionally migrates to Gochung and Lashar during the summer months.

As part of the programme, the Drokpas were also provided care packages containing cooking oil and washing powder, along with ectoparasiticides, dewormers and calcium supplements for their yaks.

The Yak Calf Rally thus brought together animal husbandry, indigenous livestock conservation and high-altitude adventure, showcasing the unique pastoral traditions of northern Sikkim.

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