Kathmandu: The Dashain festival has brought a significant boost to livestock sales in Jumla and Mustang districts, with transactions exceeding Rs 160 million. The increased demand for sacrificial animals and meat consumption during the festivities has driven a surge in the sale of goats, sheep, and buffaloes.

In Jumla's Khalanga town alone, livestock worth Rs 163 million was sold during the festival period, according to Bir Bahadur Rawal, Chief of the Chandannath Municipality's Livestock Development Section. The district saw the sale of 7,928 goats and sheep, with local sheep fetching prices as high as Rs 28,000, while goats sold for an average of Rs 16,000. Buffaloes were priced between Rs 26,000 and Rs 50,000.

Meanwhile, Mustang recorded Rs 160 million in sales from the transaction of 7,500 chyangra (Himalayan goats) and 500 sheep. The chyangra, reared in Mustang's highlands and known for their premium quality due to grazing on medicinal herb-rich pastures, were sold at prices ranging from Rs 28,000 to Rs 38,000. These animals were mainly bought by consumers from Myagdi, Baglung, Parbat, Kaski, and Kathmandu.

Farmers and traders in both districts expressed satisfaction with the increased production and better prices compared to previous years. Mustang's chyangra and sheep, in particular, remain a primary source of income for local farmers, especially during the Dashain and Tihar festivals.