SATV Kathmandu Sept 06: Authorities in Mustang have announced that sheep and mountain goats (chyangra) destined for markets during the upcoming Dashain festival will not be allowed to leave the district without mandatory health checks.

The Veterinary Hospital and Animal Expert Centre, Mustang, has enforced strict guidelines requiring all sheep and chyangra – whether locally raised or imported from Tibet and other regions – to undergo physical health examinations in Jomsom before being transported out of the district.

Dr. Lal Mani Aryal, chief of the hospital and an animal expert, said that only after undergoing a physical examination, including a fever in Jomsom, a health check-up card will be issued to release chyangra from the Thasang Rural Municipality within 72 hours.

He said that if a sheep is brought in illegally, the necessary fine will be imposed, and permission will be given to send it out of the district only after it is brought back to Jomsom for a health checkup.

Chief Dr. Aryal said, "Sheep that have been sent without being tested are stopped at the border. There is also increased monitoring during festivals to ensure that consumers consume healthy meat."

"If a sick sheep is identified during the test, it will be kept under surveillance and treated before being handed over to the trader," he said. 

Dr. Aryal said that as traders buy a large number of animals cheaply, even if they are not regularly vaccinated and sick, the police have coordinated to send them back from the border if there is no health test report. A red sticker will be put on the horns of unhealthy sheep. 

In case of injuries or any other problem on the way from Mustang to Pokhara, the centre will coordinate with the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Service Expert Centre in Myagdi and Pokhara to put green stickers on the horns of healthy sheep and red stickers on the horns of unhealthy sheep.

According to the provisions of the Nepal Animal Health Act, animals can be transported only after being examined by a registered veterinarian and certified as healthy.  

The Centre has estimated that around 15,000 sheep will be supplied, including 12,000 from Mustang and 3,000 from Dolpa and the Korala checkpoint. 

The demand for Mustang’s high-altitude sheep remains strong during festivals like Dashain and Tihar, with a mountain goat's prices reaching up to Rs. 35,000.