Himalayan yaks to be insured

What is the News?

National Research Centre on Yak(NRCY) in West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh has tied up with the National Insurance Company Ltd. for insuring Himalayan Yak.

About Himalayan Yak:

• Himalayan Yak is a long-haired domesticated cattle found throughout the Himalayan region of the Indian subcontinent, Tibetan Plateau, Myanmar and as far north as Mongolia and Siberia.
• They are accustomed to very cold temperatures and can survive up to -40 degrees but find it difficult when the temperature crosses 13 degrees.

Himalayan Yak in India:

• The total yak population in India is about 58,000. The Highest Yak Population is in Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal and Uttarakhand.

Importance of Himalayan Yak:

• Himalayan Yak is a lifeline for pastoral nomads living in the higher reaches of the Himalayas as it provides them milk, fiber, and meat.
• The long hair of yak has water-resistant properties and can be a good packing material. Nomads also use yak hair to weave material for making tents.

Decline in Yak Population:

• According to a report, the number of yaks across the country has declined by almost 24.7% between 2012 and 2019.
• The reasons include climate change, heat, diseases, surgical operations among others.

What is being done now?

• National Insurance Company Ltd will provide insurance for Himalayan Yak.
• The insurance policy would shield the yak owners against the risks posed by weather calamities, diseases, in-transit mishaps, surgical operations and strikes or riots.
• The owners of the Yaks would have to get their yaks ear-tagged and provide a proper description in order to get their animals insured.