What primary roles do yaks serve for Himalayan peoples, earning them the title 'cattle of the plateau'?
Answer
Transporting goods, and providing milk, meat, and fuel from dung
The deep integration of the yak into the lives of Himalayan peoples over millennia stems from their ability to fulfill multiple critical roles necessary for survival in a challenging locale. They function critically as pack animals, capable of moving necessary goods across treacherous mountain passes where modern motorized transport is unfeasible. Furthermore, they are direct suppliers of sustenance, providing milk, which is then used to create butter, and meat. Crucially, because wood is scarce at those elevations, their dried dung is an essential, readily available source of fuel for both cooking and heating.
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