India, Oct. 21 -- Yak herders from Bhutan, India and Nepal will launch the first Himalayan Yak Herders' Network on 23 October 2026 at Bhutan's ninth Royal Highland Festival.

The network aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation, knowledge sharing and collective advocacy to protect traditional yak-herding livelihoods.

Shrinking pastures, climate change, declining yak populations, wildlife attacks and migration of young people are threatening highland communities.

Rangelands cover more than 60% of the Hindu Kush Himalaya and support an estimated 25-30 million Indigenous and culturally diverse people, according to the organisers.

Yak herders from Bhutan, India and Nepal are coming together to establish the first regional network dedica...