ICAR Sikkim Centre Conducted Alpine Animal Health Camp For Tibetan Sheep And Yak In Cold Desert
With the onset of winter season, there is huge scarcity of green pasture in alpine meadows leading to weight loss (15-20%) in yak and also to some extent in Tibetan sheep; which are the only two sources of livelihood for highlanders of Sikkim. Heavy lambs and yak calves mortality and incidence of other diseases are rampant during winter season. In view of prevailing situation Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre, decided to hold two days (13th and 14th November 2014) Animal Health Camp in the cold desert of Sikkim and flagged off huge contingent of essential medicines and feed supplements.
Dr Brijesh Kumar, Scientist (Animal Reproduction) examined the 123 yaks and 35 yak calves and 110 Tibetan Sheep in two days and interacted with 19 Dokpas (Sheep and Yak herders) families appreciated their hardship and advised for spraying/dipping of the animals with ectoparasitic solution since it is right time along with deworming of complete sheep flock and yak herds.While interacting with Dokpas, it was found that winter fodder scarcity is leading to weakness in the animals and high disease incidence especially causing animal deaths showing symptoms of hemo-protozoan infection. Apart from heavy yak calves and Tibetan sheep mortality due to attack by feral dogs found be frequently in the region roaming in groups. Further, he stressed on proper winter shelter for yak calves and lambs to reduce mortality and additional feed supplements for yak and sheep to decrease winter weight losses.
Dr. A.K. Mishra, Principal Scientist, NBAGR, Karnal was also present in connection with characterization of Tibetan sheep also shared his experiences regarding sheep rearing and highlighted the importance of Tibetan Sheep in maintaining the alpine ecosystem.
Sh. Passang Tshering Bhutia, Stock man, Department of A.H.L.F. and V.S. and Sh. Neeraj Singh SRF (NICRA), ICAR Sikkim Centre facilitated the drug distribution and helped in restraining the animals along with dokpas.
It is felt that there is immediate need to control the population of feral dogs in the alpine region besides concrete provision for storage of fodder to meet the requirement of winter lean period along with improved winter shelter to reduce weight losses and disease incidences.
