Lack of pasture land hits yak herders in Manang

By Yadu Prasad Bhatta,Manang, Jan. 11: Farmers in Manang are increasingly moving away from their traditional occupations of agriculture and animal husbandry due to a lack of grazing land.

The shortage of grass for their domesticated animals and the growing fear of snow leopards are compounding the challenges faced by the farming community in the region. 

With fading profits from traditional businesses, there is a necessity to explore alternative ways. Despite the calendar approaching mid-January, Manang has received minimal snowfall. The absence of snow has hindered the growth of grass, posing a significant threat to the livelihood of farmers in the area. 

Suresh Thakali, Chairman of the Manang Yak Chauri Breeding and Conservation Organisation, expressed concerns about the impact of climate change on farmers in the district. 

He added that insufficient grazing areas and the heightened fear of snow leopards have contributed to a growing aversion to animal husbandry and farming among the residents of the district. 

Yangdu Gurung, a yak herder of Pisang in Ngisyang Rural Municipality-1, said that in previous years, winter brought rain and snow, leading to ample grass growth. However, this year, the absence of snow has left little chance for such growth. “Children have grown disenchanted with agriculture and animal husbandry due to this problem,” he added.

Yangchu Khanda Lama, a 60-year-old yak herder from Bhraka in Ngisyang Rural Municipality-5, said that in the past, they used to store dry grass to feed cattle during the winter. However, in recent times, the grass is rare as it has ceased to grow due to insufficient water, making it challenging to store enough for another season.

All farmers in the district, like Gurung and Lama, are anxious about the lack of snowfall. They are concerned about how to feed their animals, as the scarcity of grass and pasture increases the risk of encounters with snow leopards when the animals move around.

Earlier, yak used to graze without herdsmen in pasture. Nowadays, due to the fear of snow leopards, it is impossible to be a herder. 

Tshering Lama, another herder, mentioned that the risk of encountering snow leopards has been rising in the area when they take their yaks for grazing.

“I don’t know if the number of leopards has increased or if there is less food. The shortage of grass remains the same. Due to the fear of snow leopards, we keep the calves in cages for their safety, but sometimes the mother gets killed, making it challenging to raise the young ones,” Lama added.