Covid-19 has triggered the need for goat products — be it goat milk, cheese or curd — as per the state’s animal husbandry officials. To capitalise on this opportunity, the state has decided to convert its Someshwar in Almora, Pinder valley of Chamoli, Garud valley of Bageshwar, Agustmuni belt of Rudraprayag and Thalisen belt of Pauri into “goat valleys”. The aim is to have homestays and -related works in these valleys with a tourist-like experience that would bring people closer to the serenity of rural villages of Himalayas.
These middle Himalayan valleys are perfect houses for the goats to survive. To augment the livelihood of farmers and retain the natural landscape of these valleys, the project is being conducted which will be gradually expanded in other valleys, too.
The state has its own Uttarkhand Sheep Goat Farmer Cooperative Federation under which around 11,000 farmers are registered, availing the benefits of various state and central government-run schemes.