Yak toll may jump: Sikkim

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, 17 May 2019, Gangtok: A 40-member team of Sikkim government officials and members of the Indo-Tibetan Border Force (ITBP) will leave for Muguthang in north Sikkim on Saturday to provide medical aid and fodder to hundreds of starving yaks.

The death toll of Himalayan cattle is feared to be much higher than the earlier estimated figure of about 300.

"The team will verify claims of herders that around 600 to 700 yaks have died," said Raj Kumar Yadav, the district collector of North Sikkim.

About 250 yaks have died of starvation in the Muguthang area under Lachen dzumsa (traditional local government) since December last year following heavy snowfall for close to four months, according to a preliminary survey carried out by officials of the Chungthan sub-divisional administration last week. Fifty more yaks are also believed to have died in Yumthang under Lachung dzumsa.

A team comprising veterinarians and administrative officials from different parts of the North district had visited the lower reaches of Lachen on May 12 to provide fodder and medicines to the surviving yaks. They, however, could not go to Muguthang because the area was still covered in snow. "Our team is on the job. The snow in the higher altitude areas is being cleared by the army," Yadav said. "Our team will proceed to the area on May 18About 2,000 yaks are still believed to be alive in the higher reaches, but they are all malnourished, officials said. "The team will carry feed such as flour, mustard cakes, salts, vitamin supplements besides medicines for the surviving yaks," said Yadav.