Bhutan, India, and Nepal Launch Himalayan Yak Herders’ Network
What happened
Bhutan, India, and Nepal launched the Himalayan Yak Herders’ Network at the 9th Royal Highland Festival in Laya, Gasa, with Bhutan hosting the secretariat. This platform is the first regional network dedicated to yak herding communities in the Himalayas. The network is designed to facilitate collective advocacy, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and cooperation among herding communities.
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Why it matters
The network addresses challenges such as the decline in Bhutan’s national yak population, which dropped by about 28 percent between 2020 and 2024. It seeks to sustain herding as a viable livelihood against pressures from climate change, pasture degradation, and economic shifts toward cordyceps collection.
Traditional yak use in Central Asia is being explored for its potential in modern niche markets.
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Who's involved
- BhutanHosts the secretariat for the new regional yak herding platform.
- IndiaParticipates in the regional yak herding platform.
- NepalParticipates in the regional yak herding platform.
- International Centre for Integrated Mountain DevelopmentProvided commentary on the challenges facing yak herding communities.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- NepalSpeculative
Could see the creation of green jobs and support for herding livelihoods through participation in the new platform.
Keep exploring
The entities involved
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Bhutan
sovereign state in South Asia
- India, through Rajnath Singh and New Delhi, engaged in multiple high-level diplomatic and aid initiatives across South Asia, including visits to Sri Lanka, providing flood relief to Nepal, and enhancing cooperation with Bhutan and Bangladesh.
- Multiple nations, including Indonesia, India, and Bhutan, participated in the multinational military exercise PRAGATI 2026.