Merak-Sakteng
Area
177,700 ha
TEK COMMUNITIES
Brokpa
ELEVATION
1500–4500 m asl
Material
Brokpa yak wool, sheep wool
SPECIES
Bos grunniens
KEY BIODIVERSITY AREA
Merak-Sakteng
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
Merak – Sakteng is situated in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot in Bhutan. 7WEAVES work in this landscape is developed in collaboration with the Bhutan Youth Development Fund.
Merak and Sakteng together form the primary homeland of the Brokpa, a semi-nomadic community whose presence in eastern Bhutan spans many centuries. At elevations ranging from 1,500 m at valley floors to above 4,500 m in the alpine grazing grounds, the landscape supports yak herds and sheep flocks whose fibre has formed the material basis of Brokpa dress, ritual objects, and domestic textiles across generations. The landscape is thus guided by the Brokpa indigenous community practising age-old customs and traditions with a distinct culture and language.
Merak has a total population of approximately 2000 yaks, representing one of the highest concentrations of yak pastoralism in the Eastern Himalayas. Sakteng is situated east of Merak within the same protected landscape.
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 2003 and covers 742 square kilometres, spanning altitudes from 1,500 metres in the subtropical lower valleys to 4,500 metres in the alpine meadows. Three major rivers, Manas, Bada and Dhansiri origins within the sanctuary. Documented biodiversity within the sanctuary includes 872 plant species, 130 species of orchid, 41 species of rhododendron, 280 bird species, and 37 mammal species. Charismatic fauna include Snow leopard, Red panda, Himalayan black bear, Clouded leopard, Musk deer, and Tiger. The sanctuary is recognised as having the highest diversity of wild rhododendrons in Bhutan.
Transhumance in the highlands
Bhutan Highland region is home to 10 communities of transhumant Yak herders who have traditionally managed the ecosystem of highly diversified alpine forests. Our research focuses on the traditional yak herding practices in the highland region and their unique culture and rich biodiversity