Climate Crisis in the Himalayas: Yak Herders Battle Survival as Temperatures Rise

In the remote mountains of Ladakh, India, Tsering Dolma balances her 1-year-old son on her back while guiding a group of yaks into a stone enclosure as dusk settles. This rugged terrain, characterized by sparse grasslands transitioning into rocky foothills and sharp peaks, is home to a handful of herders like Dolma who are often the only human presence in vast expanses.

Traditionally, these herders have depended on the melting snow from the mountains to nourish the high-altitude pastures their livestock graze on. However, changes in weather patterns have brought less predictable snow and rainfall, reducing the available grassland needed for their yaks.

“It used to snow and rain sufficiently, but now those are greatly reduced,” shares 32-year-old Dolma. “Even the winters are warmer now than they used to be.”

In Ladakh, close to Tibet and once a part of the historic Silk Route, most of the herding, milking, and wool collection is manually done by women. In another part of this region, 73-year-old Kunzias Dolma (no relation to Tsering) is immersed in her daily routine of preparing tea from yak milk, managing yak butter, and simultaneously spinning her Buddhist prayer wheel.

“Our day starts at 5 a.m.,” she explains. “My husband and I milk the yaks and manage other related tasks until lunch. After a short break, we resume work until evening. This has been our routine for as long as I can remember.”

Yet, this traditional way of life faces threats as climate change makes Ladakh a challenging environment for yaks, and as younger generations move away from herding.

Recent shifts in climate have led to increased temperatures and unpredictable rainfall, making it difficult for yaks to find adequate nutrition and putting stress on these animals, which thrive in cooler climates. Studies indicate that average temperatures in Ladakh have risen by 3°C (5.4°F) over the past forty years, accompanied by more severe heatwaves and erratic rainfall patterns.

While it’s challenging to directly correlate these changes to a decline in yak numbers, the evidence suggests it is a contributing factor. Estimates from the government show a decline in the yak population from nearly 34,000 in 2012 to under 20,000 in 2019.

A Threatened Way of Life

Local herder Kunzang Angmo has witnessed the impact of these changes firsthand. “The number of yaks has reduced significantly. We used to have abundant snow, but now snowfall has lessened, leading to a shortage of water and grass,” she notes.

Generational herder Tsering Angchok and others in the region observe similar trends, with fewer people choosing to continue the herding tradition.

“Yaks provide us with everything — food, milk, clothing, butter, cheese, meat, wool, and even dung,” says 75-year-old Angchok, who owns 80 yaks. “Nothing is wasted. This is the legacy of our ancestors.”

As the climate shifts, less nutritious shrubs and weeds are replacing the native vegetation, affecting the size of grazing lands, according to local herders and researchers.

Thering Norphel, 70, a former yak herder, recalls better days: “There used to be more grass, more water, more wildlife. Now, those mountains once covered in snow are barren rocks. The lack of snow and ice means less water, which affects the grass yaks rely on.”

Consequences for a Fragile Ecosystem

Tashi Dorji, a specialist in livestock and rangelands with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, emphasizes the severe impact of global warming on the region’s herders and their livestock.

“The rapid melting of glaciers, intense and unpredictable rainfall, and decreasing snow levels have a direct negative impact on both herders and their animals,” asserts Dorji.

Stanzin Rabgais, a local livestock officer, notes an increase in bacterial diseases among yaks, likely due to higher temperatures.

The decline in yak herding has significant implications for Ladakh’s ecosystem. Pastoralists play a vital role in managing grazing lands, controlling invasive species, and preserving biodiversity in this high-altitude region, which is also home to the snow leopard, red fox, and blue sheep.

“If herders vanish, the landscape alters dramatically,” Dorji warns. “Invasive shrubs spread, wildlife loses food sources, and the entire ecosystem begins to deteriorate. This goes beyond just animal life — it’s about maintaining a way of life and the health of the land.”

Rabgais suggests that with proper marketing and development, yak products could find markets beyond local areas, noting that yak calf wool is exceptionally soft, rivaling cashmere.

A Traditional Livelihood in a Changing Job Market

The allure of jobs in tourism and other sectors, along with educational opportunities, is drawing people away from herding. Younger Ladakhis often seek less demanding work with potentially higher earnings than herding yaks requires.

“Young people are opting for jobs in the Indian Army or pursuing education and other careers,” explains Norphel, the former herder. “They no longer want to engage in yak herding, which is seen as too challenging.”

Increased tourism, driven by improved transportation infrastructure, has brought new employment opportunities to Ladakh, known for its Buddhist monasteries and trekking routes.

However, Rabgais points out that most yak herders are now older, and unless more young people take up the profession, the future of yak herding looks bleak.

Still, individuals like 32-year-old Punchuk Namdol continue the herding tradition, despite the changing times. “Previously, our only job was to look after the yaks and other cattle. Now, there’s hardly anyone left to care for them. Yak herding is tough, and not many are willing to do it,” he states.

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