Kathmandu, October 16
The price of Himalayan goats, known as chyangra, has climbed ahead of Dashain, but that has done little to dampen demand in Baglung, where the animals are a traditional festive delicacy.
Chyangra have begun arriving in the market from Mustang, the Himalayan district beyond the mountains, with the start of Ghatasthapana. Traders say buyers are still willing to pay premium prices, either to enjoy chyangra meat during Dashain or to take the animals as gifts to relatives.
Tenzing Tarke Tamang, who arrived in Baglung after a 25-day journey on foot with chyangra from Dolpa and Mustang, said selected, high-quality animals were selling for Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000 each.
“I brought 200 chyangra from Dolpa and Mustang, sending 100 to Baglung and 100 to Pokhara,” said Tamang, who has been trading chyangra for the past three years. “The price of one chyangra at the source has reached Rs 37,000. Demand has not fallen despite the price rise, and I plan to sell them all before Dashain.”
Tamang said he had purchased the animals directly from herders for between Rs 32,000 and Rs 37,000 each. Any chyangra left unsold in Baglung would be taken to Pokhara, a major market for the animals.
He expects business to remain strong this year because snowfall has made transportation difficult and fewer chyangra have arrived compared with last year.
Local trader Bal Bahadur Thapa is selling chyangra meat in Baglung at Rs 2,200 per kilogram for the festive season. He said he had brought in only a small number of animals because their purchase price had increased.
“Local goat meat is selling in larger quantities. Although eating chyangra during Dashain is a tradition, not everyone can afford it at these prices,” Thapa said.
Traders travel to places including Chhoser, Kagbeni and Chamar in Mustang to source the animals. According to Thapa, even a selected, high-quality chyangra can now cost as much as Rs 50,000.
Traders say the number of animals reaching the market has also been affected by prolonged road closures in Mustang due to floods and landslides.
Chyangra are prized for their meat, which is considered nutritious and flavourful because the animals graze on alpine vegetation and medicinal herbs in the Himalayan region. Consumers continue to seek them out despite the high cost.
Ahead of the festival, chyangra are herded from Mustang through Myagdi and Baglung to markets in Pokhara and Kathmandu.
A total of 13,817 sheep and chyangra were transported out of Mustang for Dashain this year, according to figures provided for the district. Of these, 11,700 chyangra and 2,215 sheep underwent health inspections before being sent to other districts.
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