The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has sanctioned the creation of Pakistan’s inaugural yak research centre in the remote Broghil Valley, situated near the Afghan border. This initiative aims to protect the endangered yak species and enhance the livelihoods of communities in the mountainous Chitral region, as outlined in official budget documents.
Included in the province’s Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2026-27, the project has an estimated budget of Rs300 million (approximately $1.1 million) and is planned to be completed over three years. The research facility will be established on 100 kanals of land in Broghil, a high-altitude valley in Upper Chitral close to the Wakhan Corridor, one of Pakistan’s most isolated areas adjoining Afghanistan.
For the initial phase in 2026-27, authorities have allocated Rs30 million, with Rs10 million designated for capital expenses and Rs20 million for operational costs. The centre will maintain a core herd of 50 yaks to facilitate scientific breeding, reproduction, and genetic enhancement programs aimed at increasing the species’ population, which has seen a significant decline in Pakistan.
Data from Pakistan’s 2024 Agriculture Census reveals that the yak population in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has dropped to 1,923 animals, with 1,911 residing in Upper Chitral and only 12 in Lower Chitral. The yak (Bos grunniens) is a long-haired bovine adapted to elevations between 2,000 and 6,000 meters and serves as a crucial resource for food and income in the harsh climate of the Hindu Kush mountains.
Yaks provide meat, milk, butter, wool, hides, and transport, making them integral to the local economy in high-altitude regions. The project’s primary objective is to uplift the socio-economic status of farming communities in Chitral through improved yak productivity.
The research station will focus on yak reproduction, health, nutrition, and productivity under local environmental conditions. It will develop superior breeding stock through selective breeding programs. Furthermore, the project aims to conserve the species, which the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified as endangered, due to threats such as habitat loss, unregulated crossbreeding, and population decline across parts of the Himalayas.
Locally, a single yak is valued between Rs350,000 and Rs400,000 in markets. Beyond livestock development, the project plans to promote yak-based eco-tourism in Chitral by incorporating yaks into festivals, trekking activities, and cultural events designed to attract tourists to the picturesque mountain region.
Additionally, the centre will offer training to local farmers on modern yak husbandry and value-added production of yak-derived products, aiming to strengthen supply chains and generate new employment opportunities. It is expected to become a hub for scientific research, drawing students, researchers, and policymakers interested in high-altitude livestock management.
Ultimately, this initiative supports broader goals of enhancing food security and rural incomes in one of Pakistan’s most remote and challenging areas.
