Meet dorji a yakherder from lachen I met him on my way to #gurudongmarlake. #yak is the dominant livestock species that support livelihoods for pastoralist of the #sikkim and nearby #himalayan regions. #bhutias and #tibetian #dupas are the major communities involved in yak herding after the twentieth century with herding being transferred from Eastern Nepal to #khangchendzonga landscape. Yak rearing is the only alternative to provide sustainable source of income to the people of the alpine region. The local communities herd livestock like yak, Dzomo (cow-yak hybrid) and domestic cattle. In Sikkim, yak is found at Lachen, #gurudongmar Lake, #chopta valley, #lachung valley and #yumthang in North district, #tsomgolake Lake, Kupup, Thegu, Nathang in East district, and Yuksom-Dzongri in West Sikkim region. The first part of the paper describes the rearing of Yak by the ethnic communities in North and East Sikkim. However, the rearing of Yak originally started from Nepal, which was inherited from Bhutan. The Second part consists of its multipurpose uses; being raised by the herders for providing milk, meat and manure. Using the traditional knowledge passed on from generations the herdsman has developed novel practices for yak husbandry and yak product technology. Lately, rapid decline of yak herding households has been noted, mostly in areas where households have land for crop cultivation and access to other resources that facilitate diverse sources of livelihoods. (at Zero Point, North Sikkim) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo_vpVHlJLs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2rqyvwwgvvsl