Tuesday, Sep 01, 2026 23:30 [IST]
Last Update: Monday, Aug 31, 2026 17:57 [IST]
GANGTOK,: The Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department, Mangan District, conducted a Yak Calf Rally at Gochung and Lashar Valley in Lachen on August 29 under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) 2026–27, funded by the Sikkim Livestock Development Board (SLDB).
The rally was conducted at an altitude of around 15,000 feet above sea level, informs a press release.
The team was led by additional director Dr. Dechen O. Kaleon and included joint director (Mangan) Dr. Hissay D. Lepcha, deputy director (Chungthang) Dr. Sonam D. Lepcha, assistant director (Chungthang) Passang Tsh. Bhutia, Veterinary officers Dr. Thinley O. Lepcha, Dr. Tenzing Lobsang Bhutia and Dr. Rajat Bagdass, along with other departmental staff from Lachen.
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, who collectively own around 1,831 yaks, migrate to Gochung and Lashar during the summer months. The departmental team covered approximately 18 km along the Gochung–Lashar–Byamzey route in challenging high-altitude terrain with thin air.
Eleven yak farmers, or Drokpas, participated in the calf rally, with some entering more than one calf. The first prize of ?15,000 was won by a calf belonging to Tshering Choenden, while the second prize of ?12,000 went to Tshering Norbu’s calf. Pema Thinley’s calf secured the third prize of ?10,000.
The remaining eight participants received consolation prizes of ?5,000 each.
The participating Drokpas were also provided care packages containing cooking oil and washing powder, along with ectoparasiticides, dewormers and calcium supplements for their yaks, the release mentions.
