Question

Imagine that you are conducting a research on the conservation of a few animal species in India. You have been asked by the Wildlife Trust of India to prepare a report on the future of the YAK that lives in the Ladakh region of the Himalayan mountains . In groups of four, discuss the issue and make notes for your report. Refer to the Question 2 and the information in the box given here. 

DOMESTIC YAK

herd animals 2-2.2 m tall

used in sports

kept for milk , fur , fibre , meat , drawing ploughs etc

WILD YAK

length:3-3. 4m

habitat: treeless uplands

killed for food

insulated from cold by dense, close matted under hair , shaggy outer hair

hunted for similar reasons as the domestic ones

Within your group, discuss 
• What is the problem? How has it arisen? 
• What is the best way to preserve these species? 
• Why do we need to preserve these species? 
• What values need to be inculcated in the hearts of human beings? Why? 
• What actions would you recommend to the World Wildlife Federation? 
• How is global warming affecting these species? 

Answer 1

A : Yaks are found in the Himalayan uplands. Domestic yaks are about 2 – 2.2 metre tall, while the wild ones are bigger measuring about 3 – 3.4 metre. How do they preserve themselves?
B: They have thick fur all over their body. The fur acts as insulation and keeps them warm in the extreme cold temperatures of the Himalayas. Why do we need to preserve them?
C: Domestic yak is used for milk, fur, meat and farming related work. They are also used as sports. The wild variety is poached for its fur and meat. What dangers do they face?
D : Because of increasing human activities around yak’s habitat they are facing extreme danger of becoming endangered. The growing pollution level and related global warming has resulted in melting of the Himalayan glaciers. This may reduce the habitable area for yak. What actions would you recommend to save them?
A: Like any other animal, yak is also part of the important food chain and helps maintain the ecological balance of the Himalayan region. An awareness programme should be undertaken to educate people about the values associated with yak. They also give unique identity to the Himalayan fauna. People’s participation can give wonderful results as has been seen in the case of black bucks of Rajasthan.
B: Some sanctuary should be earmarked for them on the lines of sanctuaries meant for tigers and rhinos. This will help in carrying out proper steps to preserve one of the important species of the Himalayan region.