Peace on the peaks

A crowdfunding campaign to help Bhutan’s highland communities live in harmony with wildlife

December 11, 2024

a group of cattle standing on top of a mountain — Yaks photographed at the 7th Royal Highland Festival in Laya in October 2024

UNDP Bhutan/Dechen Wangmo

Yaks are the lifeline of highland communities.

In the remote highlands of Bhutan, where the air is thin and the land rugged, the yak stands as a symbol of resilience and grace. These majestic creatures are not just animals; they are the lifeblood of the highland communities. With their thick coats and steady gait, yaks embody the very spirit of Bhutan's highlanders.

On 11 December 2024, International Mountain Day, we launched our crowdfunding campaign on www.every.org to support the preservation of this cherished tradition and to support the remote highland communities that rely on yaks for their livelihoods. We invite you to join us in this effort—every donation, big or small, will help strengthen the bond between the highlanders and these remarkable creatures.

Yaks provide warmth through their wool, sustenance through their milk, and, occasionally, meat for the people of Bhutan’s highlands. They are also trusted companions in the harshest of climates, helping transport goods and connect isolated communities. To the highlanders, yaks are more than just livestock; they are cherished family members, silent guardians, and symbols of the mountain's enduring spirit.

a herd of cattle standing on top of a grass covered field — A yak herder in Nubri, Paro district

UNDP Bhutan/Dechen Wangmo

a herd of cattle standing on top of a mountain — Yak herders in Laya, Gasa district

UNDP Bhutan/Karma Jamtsho

But yak population is on the decline.

Since 2019, Bhutan has seen a 22% drop in yak herding households and a 28% reduction in the yak population (National Statistics Bureau, 2022). Several factors contribute to this decline, including inadequate feed resources, disease (such as gid disease), and wildlife predation.

Annually, wild animals kill around 159 yaks, the majority of which are young calves. This loss not only threatens the livelihoods of the herders but also results in the threat of retaliatory killings of the predators, mainly snow leopards. These elusive big cats are critical for balancing our mountain ecosystems, including water catchment areas.

"As yak herders, we live a tough life, relocating almost every year and staying up all night guarding our yaks from bears, tigers, snow leopards, wild dogs, and Himalayan wolves," said Damcho Tshering, a member of the Laya Yak Association.

a cow standing in a field with a mountain in the background — Baby yaks remain the most vulnerable to wildlife attacks.

a cat that is standing in the snow — Snow leopards are present in most of Bhutan's northern protected areas. The National Snow Leopard Survey 2014-2016 recorded an estimated population of 96 individuals.

A campaign to save the yaks

This crowdfunding initiative aims to protect 149 Bhutanese highland families, 2,000+ calves, and 134 snow leopards by promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife. Our solution involves using portable iron mesh to shield yaks from wildlife attacks, while simultaneously protecting snow leopards and other predators from retaliatory killings.

In the face of competing global priorities—such as pandemic recovery and a shrinking aid landscape—creative financing solutions for development are more crucial than ever.

UNDP Bhutan office is spearheading this campaign following completion of a three-month course through the UNDP Crowdfunding Academy. UNDP’s Alternative Finance Lab and the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy launched the Crowdfunding program to discover and explore novel approaches to financing development and enhancing community resilience.

How you can help

We call on you to support our crowdfunding drive, Peace on the Peaks. Your donation will make a tangible impact. Even sharing our campaign on social media can raise awareness and rally others to join the cause.

The funds raised will go toward purchasing and distributing portable iron mesh to 149 households in collaboration with local governments and community yak associations. This practical solution will help safeguard both yaks and snow leopards, helping them to co-exist peacefully.

Contributed by Kunzang Wangmo, Head of Experimentation, and Karma Jamtsho, Programme Communications and Advocacy Analyst