The Kathmandu Metropolitan City started monitoring the goats that are brought into Kathmandu for the upcoming Dashain festival from Monday.

According to the Department of Livestock Services, this year 55,000 to 60,000 goats are expected to be consumed in Kathmandu Valley. Last year too, 55,000 goats were consumed in the Valley during the festival.

Monday's inspection team was led by Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Hari Prabha Khadgi in coordination with officials from the District Livestock Service Office, Nepal Food Corporation, Nepal Agricultural Council, along with veterinarians and other stakeholders.

The inaugural drive was joined by Banshi Sharma, director general at the Livestock Office, and ward-14 Chairperson Sobha Sapkota. Officials said an estimated 400 traders will be dealing with live goats and chyangras (mountain goats) in the Kathmandu Valley during the festival.

The inspection teams will be placing a green mark on healthy animals and a red mark on sick ones. Unhealthy goats will be kept under medical observation for 24 hours and sent for check-ups according to Ishwor Man Dangol, spokesperson at the City. “They will be allowed to be up for sale once they get the green sticker,” said Dangol.

The inspection teams are going to monitor live goats at major markets located at Kalanki Khasi Bazaar, Tukuch, Bijuli Bazar, Balaju, Thankot among other places to ensure that consumers are not sold sick animals. “Today was the first day, and we didn’t find any sick animals. We will make our inspection stricter from Tuesday. We will make sure that the meat people eat in the city is healthy,” said Khadgi.

“We have been running awareness programmes in the city against any kind of food adulteration. If traders are found of any wrongdoing, they will be booked under the existing law,” said Khadgi.