Second International Yak Conference
Second International Yak Conference held at University of Baltistan Skardu | Experts presented Yak Research | Experts highlighted different aspects of yak habitat and management. Besides this, they also discussed on yak feeding and health. Moreover, they also focused yak meat and other products. International researchers also presented their work. دوسری انٹرنیشنل یاک کانفرنس کا سکردو میں انعقاد
یاک پر پہلی انٹرنیشنل کانفرنس کا انعقاد لاہور میں ہوا، تفصیلی رپورٹ
پہلی انٹرنیشنل یاک کانفرنس ۔۔ ایبسٹریکٹ بک
The 2nd International Yak Conference was organized by the Virtual University of Pakistan (VUP) in collaboration with the University of Baltistan (UOB) Skardu, Livestock Dairy Development and Poultry Production Department Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Yak Camel Foundation (YCF) Germany and International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Nepal at the University of Baltistan, Skardu.
Importance of Yak and Yak Foundation
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the conference, the focal person of the conference and Associate Professor of the Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Dr. Tanveer Hussain highlighted the ecological, biological and economic importance of yak.
He stressed the need to immediately prepare an action plan for the establishment of a Yak Foundation and a Yak Research Center at the University of Baltistan by strengthening coordination with the Biological Sciences Department of the university, local communities and the provincial government.
Collaboration and Development of Yak Sector
At the inaugural ceremony, Dean University of Baltistan Dr. Abdul Matin welcomed the participants and expressed the university’s willingness to collaborate with other institutions in the future.
Director Livestock, Dairy Development and Poultry Production Gilgit-Baltistan, Takbir Ali, highlighted the role of the department in promoting yak production. Pamela Berger, Secretary of Yak Camel Foundation Germany, also emphasized the importance of the conference in the inaugural session.
Poster and Drawing Competitions at Yak Conference
Various technical sessions were held during the two-day conference. On the first day, poster, model and drawing competitions were organized among school and college students, and nine prizes were distributed to encourage them. A student of Class 2 also received a prize for his drawing on yak.
Genetics, Productivity and Challenges of Yak
The first technical session was chaired by Dean University of Baltistan Prof. Dr. Abdul Mateen and Dr. Rubina Mushtaq of Federal Urdu University Karachi.
Dr. Han Jialan of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, discussed the genetic uniqueness of yak in the Pamir Mountains. Dr. Miagamersarn Puruyedrig of the University of Life Sciences, Mongolia, spoke about the phenotypic and genetic diversity in the Mongolian yak population.
Director National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Dr. Shahid Mansoor highlighted opportunities for improving milk and meat production through genomic selection and emphasized the need for genetic studies on yak to enhance productivity.
Director Livestock Gilgit-Baltistan Dr. Takbir Ali discussed challenges and opportunities faced by yak farmers. Muhammad Suleman of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore presented research on Mycoplasma bovis respiratory tract infection in yak and its impact on North American bison. Associate Professor University of Baltistan, Ghulam Raza, highlighted the socio-economic importance of yak in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Physiological Adaptation, Insurance and Disease Management Yaks
The second technical session was chaired by Dr. Syeda Andleeb and Dr. Muhammad Jamal.
Dr. Ziaur Rehman from the Department of Physiology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, explained the physiological adaptations of yak to extreme weather conditions.
Muhammad Iftikhar Gul, Consultant Legal at Care Cloud Inc., USA, emphasized the importance of insurance for yak and livestock farmers. Professor Dr. Ehtesham Khan from Veterinary College Jhang spoke on the current status of brucellosis in yak in Southeast Asia.
Muhammad Ali Hamza from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore highlighted different aspects of branding Pakistani yak. Dr. Hafiz Ashfaq Ahmed from The Islamia University of Bahawalpur delivered a presentation on genetics.
Shakoor Ali from the Department of Biological Science, Public School and College Skardu, informed participants about the characteristics of hybrid crosses and Zomo of Koyak and also introduced his book on yak.
Dr. Muhammad Zahid Farooq from Veterinary College Jhang discussed opportunities to strengthen yak value chains in Pakistan with the support of China.
Field Visit and Exhibition at Yak Conference
Participants also visited yak farming areas and interacted with yak farmers. A yak exhibition was organized during the conference, and competitions for yak weight and milk production were held. Farmers also displayed various dairy products prepared from yak milk.
Vice Chancellor Appreciates Conference
The closing ceremony was attended by Vice Chancellor Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Professor Dr. Farooq Hassan. Dean Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Professor Dr. Zahid Iqbal, and Dean Faculty of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Baltistan, Professor Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Shah, were also present.
Professor Dr. Farooq Hassan appreciated the successful organization of the conference and emphasized that yak farmers and local researchers must work together for the development of the sector.
Thanks to Organizing Team of Yak Conference
At the conclusion of the conference, focal person Dr. Tanveer Hussain thanked the Graphics Team, ICT Team, Accounts and Procurement and Administration Department, ORIC and Marketing Department of the Virtual University of Pakistan for their support. He also paid tribute to the Rector of the Virtual University for his encouragement and support and thanked all participants for attending the conference.
