Yak Pastoralist (Brokpa) of Arunachal Pradesh: Mobility and Institutional Arrangement Regarding Regulation of Seasonal Use

Abstract

In Arunachal Pradesh, Yaks are being raised along with the border of West Kameng and Tawang districts mainly between elevations of 1981.2 m (6438.9 ft) to 4260.72 (1384.34 ft) m above sea level. Brokpa are the transhumance pastoralist of Monpa tribe, whose profession and livelihood is dependent on yak rearing and use resources like high mountain pastures characteristically by mobility patterns. Mobility is one of the main characteristics of the Brokpas, enabling them to move along with their herds at different points in time, exploring greener pastures at different ecological zones, efficiently utilizing available resources. Mobility is strictly followed with the arrangement of institutional regulation of seasonal use. It is one of the main strategies used by transhumant in mountain environments that have developed diverse strategies of natural resource use such as pasture and water. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the Yak Pastoralist and their strategies for means of livelihood through their activities of transhumance. The research was conducted among the Brokpa (Yak Pastoralist) of Monpa tribe in West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunahcal Pradesh.