13,717 sheep, mountain goats leave Mustang for Dashain

By Hari Krishna Sharma, Muktinath (Mustang), Oct. 17: Sheep and mountain goats worth more than Rs. 355 million have been transported from Mustang for this year's Dashain festival.

As of Thursday, farmers in five local levels of Mustang, along with those from Dolpa, Mugu and Humla districts of Karnali Province and other areas, had sold 13,717 sheep and mountain goats, generating a total turnover of Rs. 355.388 million.

According to Dr. Lalmani Aryal, chief of the Agriculture and Livestock Development Office, Mustang, the livestock included 7,964 mountain goats and 1,204 sheep from Mustang, 3,551 sheep and mountain goats from Dolpa, 260 from Mugu, 300 from Jumla and 438 mountain goats brought through Tibet via the Korala border point.

“Almost all the sheep and mountain goats intended for the Dashain market have already been sold. A few may still arrive, and more animals are expected to enter the market for Tihar as well,” Dr. Aryal said.

According to him, the number of sheep and mountain goats brought from Tibet has declined sharply as Mustang and Dolpa have increased their own production.

In the last fiscal year 2025/26, around 15,600 sheep and mountain goats were sold, bringing Rs. 365 million into Mustang.