Yak (Bos grunniens) can be considered as one of the world’s most significant domestic animals, as it can survive in extreme environments and ensures a livelihood for the local people. Domestic yak is distributed at high altitudes between 2000 to 5000 meters in in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Nepal, China and Mongolia in the mountains of Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Himalayas, Tibetan plateau and Tien Shan mountains. Yaks are multipurpose animals providing products such as milk, meat, leather, hair and manure for fuel for people living at high altitudes, and are useful as riding and pack animals. In Pakistan, yak pastoralism is restrained to the Northern highlands of Skardu, Astore, Diamer and Ganche districts in Gilgit-Baltistan along with Chitral regions, lying at altitude of above 3100 meters. The unique features of this one of the most important Genetic Resource of Pakistan need the focus of scientific community to explore its potentials to get maximum benefits for the local communities.
With this background the Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore is going to host 1st International Conference on Yak to highlight the importance and usefulness of this wonderful species in Pakistan, in collaboration with:

• Yak and Camel Foundation, Germany
• University of Baltistan, Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
• Livestock & Dairy Development Department, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
• University of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan