Global Journal of Environmental Research 3 (3): 258-263, 2009 ISSN 1990-925X © IDOSI Publications, 2009 Corresponding Author: Syed Ajijur Rahman, Department of Sociology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh 258 Integrating Yak Herding a Resource for Community Livelihood in Protected Area Management: A Case Study of Northern Pakistan Shah Raees Khan and Syed Ajijur Rahman 1,3 2,3 Natural Resources Institute, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources, 1 University of Manitoba, 70 Dysart Rd., Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2 Department of Sociology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh 2 Poverty Environment Network (PEN), Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), 3 Bogor Barat 16680, Indonesia Abstract: This study highlights the implications of yak herding practices on conservation of wildlife species in the Khunjerab national park, northern Pakistan. The yak rearing and farming provides livelihood security to the community and their yak herding practice reflects their enormous knowledge and experience in pasture management. Their traditional herding practice exhibit a modern herding system that would have been recommended for the region and it demonstrates a positive relationship to pastures management, conservation of the wildlife and the future of the park. However, the traditional herding practice is regarded as conflict to the current park management. Key words: Yak herding Income Livelihoods Conservation INTRODUCTION three levels as described by Butz [1], first, at the The Khunjerab national park (KNP) lies between third, at pasture-cycle level. Households need to herd 34°44'N-75°17'E alongside of the Pamir covering an area of their livestock to ensure their livelihood security and approximately 2,700 km in the Karakorum mountain range. motivation towards maintaining their relationship with 2 Khunjerab national park is the third largest National Park hereditary pastoral land, which Butz [1], referred as in Pakistan. KNP was the first national park in Northern instrumental and symbolic values. To put this into Areas, established on April 29, 1975 by late Zulfiqar Ali practice, households have to make a conscious decision Bhutto on the recommendation of Wildlife biologist to maintain their hereditary pastoral land and Dr. George Schaller. The park is home to the last remaining accumulation of wealth through their livestock and its population of Marco Polo sheep and Blue sheep, Snow products. leopard, Ibex and other fauna and flora. Besides the However, the creation of Khunjerab national park has wildlife, yak population are grazed on various pastures restricted the access of the local community to pastures throughout the year using traditional herding practices for and to their traditional pastoral system. This has led to centuries by the local community residing in the Park. conflicts between the community and the government and The Shimshali yak herding practice represents a it has altered the important pastoral system that has ‘modern’ rotational grazing system, which we believe that maintained the park landscape [2]. Ali and Butz [3] points the current scientific knowledge would recognize it as a out that “[t]he original park plans would fragment this best herding practice in the region. This herding system, local management system and upset pastoral migrations which Butz [1] referred as ‘interwoven transhumant which were fully compatible with the aims of conservation cycles’ reflects generations of decisions that villagers defined under the IUCN’s guidelines 1979 for have made about their herding practice. The confidence conservation in mountain environments”. Wegge [4] in their best herding practice without any scientific confirms that the yak herd management system seemed to knowledge comes from their decision making process at be a typical ‘traditional practice’ and there was no household level, followed by the community level and the