Herders begin descending with cattle in Manang

By Yadu Prasad Bhatta,Manang, Sept. 26:The sheep, goat and yaks that were grazing in the highlands of Manang have started to descend to lower altitudes. Herders have started bringing their livestock to lower areas to dodge the decreasing temperatures and worsening weather conditions.

Sagar Gurung, who rears sheep, mountain goats and yaks at Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality–6, said that people had to bring their animals down because it started snowing unseasonably at places above 3,650 metres. The snow, he said, made it excessively cold and led to a scarcity of grass.

He also complained that the Agriculture Knowledge Centre of Manang had not provided any support to the farmers raising animals commercially. "Last year, 22 yaks and 55 mountain goats died of illness," he said, adding that over 250 sheep and goats had been killed in the past years by avalanches as well. "As we bring our animals down, we also have to fear leopard attacks."

He said that the livestock insurance provided by Siddhartha Bank gave some relief. "We only recently came to know that we get Rs. 10,000 if we insure our animals."

Tathya Gurung, who raises livestock in the same rural municipality, said that he brought his animals to the lowlands to sell them in Dashain. "I aim to sell 45 mountain goats for the festival," he shared. 

He said that herders would gradually bring all their animals down and would take them home by late October.