Tawang, Aug 3: In a major initiative to protect the livelihoods of high-altitude pastoral communities, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development, Tawang district, in collaboration with the Indian Army, on Monday launched a three-day FMD vaccination drive for yaks at Dopokhar (Yangtse), located at an altitude of 15,400 feet.
The campaign aims to vaccinate nearly 300 yaks against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), a highly contagious livestock disease that poses a serious threat to the Brokpa community, whose primary source of livelihood is yak rearing.
The vaccination programme is being led by Dr Thupten Tashi, SVO, Jang, and Dr Sang Khandu, Veterinary Officer, Lemberdung, along with a six-member team from the department.
Besides administering vaccines, the veterinary team distributed essential medicines to yak herders and treated several sick animals during the field visit, ensuring comprehensive animal healthcare in the remote border region.
The Indian Army extended logistical and operational support to the veterinary team, facilitating the campaign under challenging high-altitude conditions and underscoring the strong civil-military partnership in serving remote communities.
The drive is expected to benefit eight yak-herder families, including five from Damteng and three from Thingbu, by improving livestock health, enhancing productivity and securing the livelihoods of the Brokpa pastoralists.
The department reiterated its commitment to strengthening animal healthcare services in remote and border areas through preventive vaccination, disease surveillance and coordinated efforts to safeguard the district's valuable livestock resources. (DIPRO)