Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has started monitoring goats sold in major areas of the city to ensure the quality of the meat.

KMC has checked over 12,000 goats from three areas—Kalanki Khasibazaar, Bijulibazaar and Tukucha Khasibazaar. Hari Kumar Shrestha from the Urban Health Division at the KMC said they found three dead goats at Kalanki Khasibazaar and two sick goats. “We buried the dead goats, and provided treatment to the sick ones,” said Shrestha.

The monitoring teams consist of experts, including doctors, veterinarians and KMC’s administrative staffs. The metropolis, in coordination with District Livestock Service Office, Nepal Food Corporation and Nepal Agricultural Council give a final check. The campaign will be carried out in other remaining areas on the day of Fulpati (October 20), at Balaju and Tinkune.

The metropolis has been monitoring the market for the past four years. However, due to the fuel crisis this year the drive started just a week before the main day of Dashain. In previous years, inspection was done two weeks before the festival.

The metropolis gives a red tag to unhealthy goats and green for healthy ones. “We give medication to the unhealthy goats and keep them under surveillance for 24 hours. They usually suffer from fever and common cold. Once they are treated, the meat is healthy enough to consume,” said Shrestha.

With Kathmandu being the major market for meat products, thousands of goats are brought into the Valley from various parts of Tarai and neighbouring India during the Dashain festival. However, due to India’s unofficial trade embargo, metropolis officials said more local goats from neighbouring districts such as Dhading, Nuwakot, Kavraplanchwok and Makanpur are being supplied in the Valley this time around.

As vehicle movement has relatively eased in the past couple of days, stakeholders are optimistic over the supply of goats from Tarai.

“Inflow of goats is on the rise and I think we can meet the Valley’s supply,” said Jeevan Khatiwada, coordinator of Chupaya Kharidbikri Pvt in Kalanki. Spokesperson at the state-owned Nepal Food Corporation, Shree Mani

Raj Khanal, is now positive towards fulfilling the Valley’s needs with the ease of

movement.

“Over 45,000 live goats are usually needed during the time of the festival. If supply goes at the same pace, the Valley’s demands can be meet,” said Khanal.