By Nabin Sishir BK, Baglung, Sept.11: Ramesh Lamichhane, 24, a resident of Payupata, Baglung Municipality-13, was running hotels and restaurants in Kathmandu for three years before the COVID-19 lockdown blew a heavy blow on his business.

In partnership with his brothers, he was operating the Prime Land hotel and Latin Hotel in Lajimpat, a prime location in the capital city, which were yielding him a decent income.

However, the nationwide lockdown clamped on March 24, 2020, to curb the spread of COVID-19 forced him along with his brothers to go back to their home village for there was no chance to continue with the business in the midst of repeatedly extended lockdown period.

At home village, the three brothers made a plan to do some business venture in the village. The three brothers, who were looking for a long-term business, planned to raise calves as most people did away with the baby buffalos for meat.

As per the plan, Ramesh prepared a shed and collected 45 baby buffalos. Though his brothers returned to Kathmandu for business, he stuck with the plan.

He said, "We ourselves have to create our own income source in village".

Lamichhane said that he invested a sum of seven lakh rupees to start the business, and also got financial support from his brothers, Chetan and Lalu. Now, his family members including parents and sisters also help him for rearing and caring of the calves.

When people sell a newly born baby buffalo of a week or so old for meat, it costs about Rs. 2,000. But, if we raise it, it may cost about a hundred thousand rupees once it becomes milk producing or is grown enough for meat, added Lamichhane.

Lamichhane is confident that this campaign would be helpful for protection of animal rights as well.

He has urged the people to take care of baby buffalos through social media as well.

According to Lamichhane, after giving birth, the baby buffalos are kept in the shed with the mother for a week and bought after a week by paying Rs.1,000 to the owner.

Durga Poudel, a local, said that the youths were doing a great work. He added, people who don’t want to take care of newly born buffalos used to find it difficult to get people who eat meat of the calves. But now, they come at the door to pick up the calves, and that for rearing them.

He had sold his calf to Lamichhane for the first time.

Lamichhane shared that he had a plan to raise calves of Balewa area- Narayansthan, Payupat and Aamalachaur.

He said that three buffaloes and one cow were kept for regular milk supply to the calves and 15 liters of milk has been procured daily from outside. For the time being, he has brought in use the empty sheds in the village.