Itanagar, Jul 6: Scientists from the ICAR–National Research Centre on Yak (ICAR–NRC on Yak), Dirang and Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati have developed an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart system for yak health monitoring, stress prediction, and geo-fencing, marking a major step towards technology-driven yak husbandry in the Indian Himalayan Region.
The innovative system is designed to address key challenges in managing yaks in remote, high-altitude areas where continuous physical monitoring is difficult. It is also expected to help tackle issues related to livestock movement near international border areas.
Congratulating the team, Dr Mihir Sarkar, Director, ICAR–NRC on Yak, said yaks are a vital livelihood resource for communities living in the Himalayan region. He noted that yak farmers often face difficulties in tracking animal movement, detecting health problems early, and managing herds spread across vast grazing landscapes.
"The newly developed technology can assist farmers by providing timely information on animal health, stress levels, and movement patterns, enabling better decision-making in day-to-day herd management and ensuring timely veterinary intervention whenever required," he said.
Dr Sarkar also stressed the importance of developing field-oriented, need-based technologies to support yak-rearing communities and strengthen scientific interventions despite the unique challenges of the Himalayan region.
According to the researchers, the system will be particularly useful for traditional free-ranging yak farming, where animals often graze in distant and difficult-to-access locations. Real-time health monitoring and geo-fencing will help reduce the risk of animals straying, enable early detection of stress or illness, minimize manual tracking, and improve animal safety, productivity, and welfare.
The technology was developed by a multidisciplinary team comprising Dr Mokhtar Hussain, Senior Scientist (AR&G); Dr Vijay Paul, Principal Scientist (VPY); Dr Dinamani Medhi, Principal Scientist (AN); and Dr Mihir Sarkar, Director, from ICAR–National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang. The team also included Assistant Professors Dr Rupesh Mandal, Dr Nupur Choudhury, Dr Gitu Das, and Dr Jyoti Kumar Barman, Assistant Professor from Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati.
The Centre acknowledged the university's contribution in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), IoT, embedded systems, and technology development. It said the successful development of the smart yak health monitoring and geo-fencing system represents an important milestone in advancing precision livestock technologies and reinforces its commitment to promoting innovation, precision livestock management, and sustainable yak husbandry in the Indian Himalayan Region.