Beyond providing milk, meat, and fiber, what essential resource do yaks supply to pastoralists in treeless regions?
Answer
Their dried dung is often the only available fuel source.
The utility of the domesticated yak extends far beyond traditional agricultural products because of the extreme scarcity of resources on the Tibetan Plateau. In areas lacking forests or accessible vegetation, fuel for heating and cooking is a paramount necessity for survival, especially during severe winters. The dried dung produced by the yaks serves as this vital resource, often being the sole available source of combustion material for pastoralist communities, solidifying the yak's status as an indispensable partner for life in these isolated, high-altitude environments.
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