Nepal
The onset of Dashain has kept entrepreneurs busy gathering Chyangra, mountain goats from Mustang, to meet the festival demand. Markets in Baglung, Parbat and the vicinity are getting the goats, albeit in limited numbers.
Unlike in the past, businesspersons say they are struggling to collect adequate mountain goats to keep up with the festival demand this year.
Mahendra KC, a businessperson in Baglung, said four entrepreneurs – two from Parbat and Kathmandu – jointly brought 250 Chyangras for the Dashain festival. Some of these goats would be supplied to Kathmandu, while most would be sold in Baglung and Parbat.
The mountain goats are also brought from Jomsom, Kagbeni and Chamar in Mustang district, where such hairy goats are raised. Six persons have been involved in the collection and delivery of the goats.
The Mustang goats are supplied to Pokhara and Kathmandu annually via Myagdi, Baglung and Parbat.
KC, who has been dealing in Chyangras for seven years, said, "A healthy and fleshy Chyangra costs Rs40,000 in Mustang. It is sold at Rs45,000 or more."
With no import of mountain goats from Tibet and limited supply from Mustang, it would be challenging to meet increased demand for Chyangra meat, according to KC. The Nepal-China border crossing at Korala has remained closed.
As a result, the price of mountain goats has increased considerably. A good Chyangya, which would cost Rs27,000 only two years earlier, costs Rs40,000 now.
Raju Pun, an entrepreneur in Kusma, said many old traders had decided not to source the goats from Mustang because of the soaring price. "Chyangra business is not lucrative this year," he said.
Until a few years ago, Baglung alone would bring in more than 2,000 Chyangras. But not anymore. That number has dropped sharply due to the rising transportation cost.
Despite the rising prices, many still yearn for Chayangra meat as an item in their Dashain delicacies. Although normal goats are available around the year for meat, there is a high demand for Chyangra during the festival.
With RSS inputs
