Mustang, June 28: The Gharpazhong rural municipality is stepping up to support local farmers by distributing yaks and naks with a generous 50 percent subsidy.
This initiative is part of the ‘Himali Yaknak Promotion’ Programme, aimed at boosting livestock farming in the area.
Mohan Singh Lalchan, the chairman of the rural municipality, shared that this subsidy is designed to encourage farmers to rear yaks and naks, with costs split evenly between the federal government and the municipality.
In total, the municipality has invested Rs 7 lakh 50 thousand for the yaks, matching the same amount contributed by the farmers. On Saturday, Pemba Gurung, a farmer from Jomsom, took advantage of these subsidy concessions to purchase yaks and naks.
Chairman Lalchan noted that the animals distributed by the village council were sourced from Manang. Pemba Gurung, who specializes in yak and nak farming, ended up spending over eight lakh rupees, exceeding the budget set by the rural municipality.
So far, more than 56 yaks and calves have been brought to Mustang. Lalchan pointed out that distributing a limited number of yaks and naks as subsidies to many people makes it challenging to meet the promotion targets.
Ait Thakali, the livestock officer of the rural municipality, mentioned that there’s an agreement in place stating that the yaks and naks distributed will not be sold for five years.
He emphasized that this initiative goes beyond mere business; it’s about preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Himalayan region. By promoting yaks and naks, the municipality aims to enhance biodiversity and support the local ecosystem.
Given the current challenges facing yak and nak breeding, this programme is a vital step towards revitalizing this traditional occupation in the Himalayan region, it is said.
