Valley sees tighter livestock checks ahead of Dashain

Kathmandu, Oct. 13: With livestock, particularly goats, chyangras, sheep and buffaloes, arriving in the Kathmandu Valley for Dashain, the Department of Livestock Services has intensified health inspections to ensure safe meat consumption.

According to Hari Singh Bhat, a veterinary officer at the Department of Livestock Services, teams of veterinarians have been deployed to monitor and examine the health of goats being sold in the market, keeping consumer health in mind.

The technicians have been deployed at 10 designated locations where livestock enter the Kathmandu Valley. These include Kalanki Khasi Bazaar, Tukucha Khasi Bazaar, Sukedhara, Sallaghari and Lokanthali in Bhaktapur, Chandragiri, Chobhar, Balaju, Balkhu, Kalimati Fish Market and Chapagaun in Lalitpur, as well as other goat markets and collection centres.

According to Bhat, teams comprising four to nine members, including veterinarians and technicians, have been mobilised at the designated locations to examine the health of goats.

"There is a possibility that traders may sell goats affected by various diseases, taking advantage of the Dashain festival," he said. "Considering public health, the government has started testing the health of goats entering the Valley from Ghatasthapana."

The inspections include checking external signs of disease, monitoring heartbeats and collecting blood samples to determine the animals' health status.

Healthy goats are marked with green labels on their horns, while unhealthy ones are marked in red, enabling consumers to make informed choices.

"Only healthy young male goats and castrated goats are permitted for sale," Bhat said, adding that the inspections aim to prevent animal-borne diseases and safeguard public health.