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Shimla's Yak rides upset animal lovers
By Baldev S. Chauhan, Indo-Asian News Service 

Shimla, Oct 17 (IANS) Tourists seem to be delighted with the starting of yak rides in this northern Indian hill resort but animal rights activists have slammed the move.

The high-altitude animals are the latest novelty for tourists flocking to this popular resort town. Riding one of the three shaggy animals that have been brought here, tourists can picture themselves to be on the Tibetan plateau.

The Shimla Municipal Corporation cleared the way for yak rides earlier this month. More yaks are likely to be brought here, officials said.

"We do not rule out issuing more yak licences soon," said Shimla Mayor Sohan Lal.

Motor vehicles are prohibited on many of Shimla's winding roads. Most people walk, while a few opt for horse rides. 

"Yaks do not feel at home below 2,800-metres, while Shimla is at only 2,150 metres, which could be disastrous for these animals," NGO Nature Watch India (NWI) chief Rajeshwar Singh Negi told IANS.

"The foreign environment has begun to take its toll on these animals in only a couple of weeks. The tarred roads have begun to damage their joints and hooves," he added.

"Besides, it's criminal watching these animals being led through two overcrowded streets in the town - Shimla's Ridge and Lakkar bazaar - with the sun blazing," he said.

"Away from their natural habitat, they are being fed dry hay and black gram instead of the high pasture nutritious grass. No wonder they have lost so much of weight already," he alleged.

"The civic officials are earning a pittance of Rs.100 for each yak licence per month. But the caretakers are making good money. These animals will not last a few months and will have to be replaced by fresh ones which are bound to meet the same fate," Negi maintained.

Yaks are high-mountain animals that live in very cold regions. Temperatures in Shimla rise to 30 degrees Celsius during summer and animal lovers say the period would be the most trying time for the yaks.

Others dismiss these fears and say the arrival of these exotic animals would be another attraction for holidaymakers who throng Shimla around the year.