Kathmandu. 50-year-old Him Bahadur Chhantyal of Malkawang, Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-5, Myagdi, who had spent 20 years abroad in course of employment, was not compelled to leave the comfortable city bazaar to go to Lekbesi in search of sheep and goats.

At a time when people are migrating from rural areas to cities for facilities, opportunities and employment, Himbahadur, a resident of Malkawang, known as a remote and remote area of Myagdi, has entered the jungle by rearing sheep and goats. “The money earned by working in the UAE for 20 years would have been enough to live a luxurious life with my family in Pokhara,” he said. Some have left the village, but some have returned to their birthplace motivated by the desire to do something. ’

Himbahadur’s experience and capital earned abroad has been mobilized to run the ‘Malkawang Sheep and Goat Farm’ at his birthplace. His family and relatives live in Pokhara. He grazes six hundred sheep and travels to the plains in winter and mobile herds in the foothills of the mountains in the rainy season.

“The sheep sheds that were brought down in September were kept in the Khali rivulet at the foot of Malkawang throughout the winter,” he said, adding, “With the month of Baisakh, we will shift the herd to the lake and take it to Buki Patan of Dhaulagiri mountain in July-August.” Hima Bahadur shared his experience that it would be fun to go to Lekbesi with the sheep and goats rather than the noise, pollution and stress of the city market.

Himbahadur, who sells around three hundred sheep and goats in a year, has become self-employed and has provided employment to three people in the village. Himbahadur, who has opened a sheep and goat farm with an investment of Rs 10 million, said he sells sheep and goats worth Rs 30 to 4 million annually.

Sheep and goats are sold from the cowshed for meat and worship. Himbahadur’s experience is that there is no problem in the market if he can produce. Ward chair Amar Chhantyal said the Dhawalagiri rural municipality has helped construct huts at Khalirikhola to protect the sheep and goats from freezing cold.

The Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre has made arrangements for providing free vaccines against domestic and external parasites and epidemics. Hima Bahadur has kept five dogs for the protection of sheep and goats in the mobile shed. He also keeps two horses together to transport food. Lack of grazing area, wildlife attacks and change in weather have become challenges in sheep rearing, said Him Bahadur.