Taplejung, March 25 -- Nupu Sherpa, Taplejung president of Yak-Chauri Farmers' Federation, owns a herd of 80 yaks and 10 chauris. Chauris are primarily used for carrying loads while yaks are reared for sale. When the animals are released from the barn into the open pastures, it is a sight to behold. Nupu finds joy in his work but faces immense hardships to continue his ancestral occupation. Despite his efforts, he has not been able to generate any income from yak farming for the past four years.

"Every year, about 25 to 30 calves are born, but 15 to 20 die due to diseases, wild animal attacks, or old age. It feels like I'm working to count life and death rather than generating any inc said Nupu. His original plan was to sell older yaks a...