To encourage the highland communities to continue yak herding for livelihood, the agriculture and livestock ministry is providing the necessary support. The ministry has handed over modified tents on a cost-sharing basis to 30 households of Lingzhi Gewog in Thimphu, today. Through this initiative, yak herders will no longer have to weave tents out of yak fur which is becoming challenging as yak herding culture declines over the years.
Modified tents are made of nylon and cotton material and are resistant to cold, heat and wind. The Chief Livestock Officer of the agriculture and livestock ministry said that these tents have a durability of more than 10 years. The tent of a yak herder is traditionally made from the fur of yaks. Over the years, as yak herding culture declined, some highlanders started using tarpaulin sheets to pitch tents.
According to officials from the ministry, the initiative will also enable the production of high-value yak fur products.
The Department of Livestock plans to install felting and spinning machines at the Yak Breeding Farm in Haa. This is expected to support the establishment of a yak fur enterprise in the country.
Towchu Rabgay, Chief Livestock Officer of the Department of Livestock said “As yak herders migrate with their yaks, tents are essential. Traditionally, weaving a tent requires fur of 300 yaks, which is no longer feasible. No household has these many yaks now. Therefore, these new tents are cost-effective, durable, and portable.”
Residents of Lingzhi said the provision of modified tents is a relief as they no longer have to live in plastic tents.
Wangdi, Lingzhi Gup said “These tents will be very convenient as they have metal poles with them. People in my gewog no longer have to suffer in plastic tents in the cold. They will now get to live in warm tents while they herd cattle.”
Singye Dorji, a resident of Lingzhi Gewog said “These tents will benefit us a lot. It is very big and spacious inside, making it comfortable for us to store our belongings while giving us the required space to work.”
Tshering Dem, another resident of Lingzhi Gewog said “Till now, it was very difficult for us to collect poles from the forest to pitch tents. The tents keep getting damaged by strong winds. Moreover, the plastic tents are not secure, sometime dogs get inside the tent and ruin our belongings. The new tents have chains and it will be very convenient to keep our belongings inside.”
Similarly, 25 such tents were provided to the highlanders in Paro and 36 tents to the highlanders of Haa, a few weeks ago. The ministry added that the felting and spinning machines at Haa will be ready by the end of this year.
Each of these tent cost more than Nu 33,000. 80 per cent of the cost is borne by the Bhutan Foundation while the highlanders have to pay 20 per cent.
The Bhutan Foundation supported the initiative with a budget of around USD 77,000.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Phub Gyem
