𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐘𝐚𝐤 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

…𝒂 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑭𝑨𝑶 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒂𝒌 𝒘𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆, 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒋𝒊 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑲𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒉𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒈𝒔

By Kinzang Lhamo

In the windswept highlands of Bji and Katsho gewogs, a quiet revolution is underway. What was once discarded as worthless waste- yak wool- is now being transformed into a valuable commodity, breathing new economic life into the lives of herders. Thanks to a targeted initiative under the National Highland Development Program, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of Bhutan and the Dzongkhag Livestock Sector, highland families are rediscovering the wealth hidden in their traditional ways of life.

Until now, yak wool was largely considered a waste product. Herders had little knowledge of its commercial value or how to process it for sale. In many cases, the wool was either discarded or left to rot, with no recognized use. However, with the guidance and training provided through this initiative, herders are now learning to properly harvest, sort, and handle yak wool, turning what was once seen as a burden into a valuable resource.

Wangchuk, the Head of the Yak Herders Community in Katsho Gewog, shared his thoughts on the positive impact of this initiative, “It is a beneficial initiative, as this aims to help the herders with monetary issues by allowing us to create a market where we will be able to sell our yak wool products, allowing us to make some income.” He emphasized how the program has opened new doors for the herders who have long struggled with limited economic activities in the harsh terrains of the highlands. “With this initiative, we finally see an opportunity to build something reliable that could support our families, reduce our dependency on external aid, and strengthen our local economy,” he said.

For many highland families, yak wool had no recognized value. However, the introduction of this initiative is changing their mindset and providing new economic avenues. Kezang Dawa, Tshogpa of Dragding Karjena village, Katsho Gewog, expressed how the wool was traditionally discarded, but now they understand it can be a source of income. “Till now we herders don’t use the wool and dump it, but now, due to this initiative, we are informed that with a good market, we can earn well through the sale of yak wool,” he noted.

The transition from seeing yak wool as waste to recognizing its potential as a commercial product is a significant shift in thinking. Sangay Dorji, another herder from the area, reflected on the change, “There was a time when we used to throw yak wool away. Back then, we didn’t know what to do with it. It couldn’t be used for anything locally, and there was no market for it. We saw it as nothing more than waste.” He now sees things differently. “I see it as wealth now. Proper harvesting, sorting, and grading techniques can transform this wool into products that fetch good prices. It can help us earn money, support our families, and give value to something we have overlooked for years.”

The initiative not only addresses the economic needs of the herders but also enhances their sense of dignity and purpose. By revitalizing yak wool as a valuable product, the program is instilling pride in highland communities. Sangay Dorji further elaborated on this, stating, “I just wish we had received this kind of knowledge when we were young. It could have changed the way we lived, the way we saw our animals, and the way we planned our future. But I am happy that at least now, the younger generation can take this forward and turn it into something meaningful.”

The project is especially impactful for women in the community. Thinley Lham, a resident of Bji Gewog, explained that yak herding had always been more than just a livelihood for them, it was part of their culture. “We used to think only about dairy products and meat from the yaks. We never imagined the wool could also bring income. This project opened our eyes,” she said. Before the initiative, women in her community would collect the wool that naturally shed during the summer but would discard it without giving it a second thought. “Now, with training and awareness sessions being held in our gewog, Thinley says the mindset has changed, especially among the younger generation.”

The initiative has introduced the possibility of spinning and weaving the wool into marketable products, which was previously unthinkable. Thinley’s daughter, for example, has shown an interest in learning how to spin and weave yak wool. “She says maybe we can make our own wool products and sell them directly,” she added. This shift in thinking, from seeing wool as waste to viewing it as a viable product, has brought hope not only for economic gain but for the revival of traditional skills and pride in highland living.

The initiative’s impact extends beyond economic benefits. It is also contributing to the preservation of traditional practices and skills that were at risk of being lost. Thinley concluded, “The program has brought hope to our homes. It’s not just about money, it’s about knowing that what we have always had around us has value. It gives us a reason to stay back and make something out of our own resources.”

This targeted initiative is reshaping the way highland communities view and utilize yak wool, turning what was once considered waste into a potential source of income and pride. The program not only contributes to economic growth but also supports cultural sustainability by reviving traditional knowledge and practices. As yak wool begins to make its way into broader markets, the initiative is proving that with access to knowledge, support, and market connections, remote communities can transform their resources into valuable commodities.

Ultimately, the yak wool initiative is a testament to the power of education and awareness in fostering sustainable development. With improved harvesting techniques, market access, and training, the highland herders are now equipped to make a living from their wool, which was once discarded. This shift is creating a more prosperous future for their families and communities while honoring their traditional way of life.