Yak Churpi, a naturally fermented milk product made from yak milk, has been given recognition as a Geographical Indication (GI) of Arunachal Pradesh.
Key points
- Scientist of NRC-Yak who was associated with the GI application process informed. ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang applied for registration of this unique yak product. Churpi is prepared from the milk of Arunachali yak, which is a unique yak breed found in West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Churpi is an excellent source of proteins and is frequently used as a substitute for vegetables by tribal yak herders in the vegetation-starved cold and hilly mountainous regions of the state.
- It is also mixed in vegetable or meat curry and is eaten with rice as a staple food in tribal households.
- It is considered an integral part of the tangible cultural and tribal heritage of Arunachal Pradesh- says Sarkar.
- Arunachali yak breed 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.
- Since the product is prepared at such a high altitude, it is also expected to provide benefits to the tribal herders against cold and hypoxia besides providing enriched nutrition,
