Stories
Nepal Starts Health Checks for Festival Animals in Kathmandu
- •Nepalese authorities have initiated health inspections for goats, sheep, and buffaloes brought into Kathmandu Valley for the Bada Dashain festival.
- •The checks aim to prevent sick or unhealthy animals from entering the valley during the period of significantly increased meat demand.
- •The Department of Livestock Services established 10 specific locations within the Kathmandu Valley to examine the animals prior to consumption.
- •Healthy animals are marked green on their horns for buyers, while unhealthy animals receive a red mark.
- •Approximately 40,000 goats and sheep are estimated to enter the valley for consumption during the ongoing festival this year.
Key Questions Answered
Nepalese authorities have started health inspections of goats, sheep, and buffaloes entering the Kathmandu Valley to prevent sick animals from reaching consumers during the Dashain festival. Only animals that pass these veterinary exams are allowed into the valley through designated entry points.
Veterinary doctors mark healthy animals with a green color on their horns, while unhealthy animals receive a red marking. Consumers are strongly advised to purchase only those animals that carry the green marking.
Around 40,000 goats and sheep are estimated to be brought into the Kathmandu Valley for consumption during this year's festival. This compares to the approximately 50,000 to 55,000 sheep and goats that were sold in Kathmandu during Dashain in 2025.
