Stating that buffalo slaughtering was contributing to environment pollution, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is preparing a policy that prohibits slaughtering of buffaloes in the valley.According to KMC officials, traders will have to sell only packaged buffalo meat once the new policy comes into effect. Hari Kumar Shrestha, chief of KMC's Public Health Division, said they were holding discussion with concerned stakeholders to prepare the policy.""We will prepare a draft after studying existing slaughter houses and incorporating suggestions of stakeholders, and forward it to higher authority for approval"" added Shrestha.
Shrestha said such policy is needed as haphazard buffalo slaughtering has emerged as a major challenge to valley environment.""Carcasses are often left on river banks and even roadside after slaughtering. This is contaminating our environment"" Shrestha said, adding that the policy will encourage people to consume packaged meat.
KMC officials hope that the policy will ease waste management problem in the valley to some extent.
According to Shrestha, people, who own buffalo slaughterhouse, will be encouraged to convert their slaughtering houses into cold store.
Livestock traders have welcomed the plan to ban buffalo slaughtering in the valley.""Before implementing the decision, the government must help people involved in the business to set up modern abattoirs outside the valley"" Deepak Thapa, president of Nepal Livestock Traders Association (NLTA), said. He also urged the government to implement the decision.
According to NLTA, around 1,500 buffalos are slaughtered in Kathmandu Valley every month for different purposes. Buffaloes are mostly sourced from Tarai districts. Kathmandu Valley consumes buffaloes worth Rs 8 billion annually, according to NLTA.
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