Yak churpi : GI Tag
In a significant milestone for the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, the unique and culturally significant yak milk product, ‘Yak Churpi,’ has been granted the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- Yak churpi is a dairy product made from the milk of the indigenous Arunachali yak breed.
- It is reared by tribal yak pastoralists known as Brokpas who migrate along with their yaks to higher reaches (at an altitude of 10,000 ft and higher) during summers and descent to mid-altitude mountainous regions during winters.
- These remarkable yaks are primarily found in the West Kameng and Tawang districts of the state.
- Churpi is a naturally fermented dairy product and rich in protein content.
- It is an essential dietary staple for tribal communities inhabiting the cold and mountainous regions of Arunachal Pradesh.
- It is often used as a vegetable substitute and is also incorporated into vegetable and meat curries and is commonly consumed with rice.
- This GI tag is going to serve the cause of yak conservation and yak pastoralists’ socio-economic upliftment.
- Yaks are reared in high altitude areas in the Himalayan region but the Arunachali yaks are a unique breed in respect to their body shape, size, strain and weight.
- Arunachali yaks are also the only registered yak breed in India
