By Amrit Prasad Paudel, Beni, Oct. 6: In previous years, around 20,000 mountain goats used to enter Nepal every year through the Korala border crossing of Mustang from China. Considering the risk of Covid-19 in the last two years, it seems that it will be difficult for the consumers to get the mountain goats from Korala on the border with China this year as well.

According to Chhewang Rinjing Gurung, a youth from Lomanthang of Lomanthang Rural Municipality-5, 10,000 to 15,000 mountain goats used to enter Nepal from China through the Korala Pass before the start of Covid-19.

"This year, only 10,000 mountain goats have moved out of the Upper Mustang area," said Gurung. According to Gurung, about 10,000 mountain goats have come out of the Upper Mustang area through Lo-Ghekar Damodar Kund, Lomanthang Village Municipality and Dolpa.

Not only mountain goats but also the two national trade fairs held in August every year have not been held in the last two years as China has completely sealed the border, citing the cause of Covid-19. The fair could not be held due to the complete closure of the border by China, citing Covid-19.

Dr Sudhir Thapa of Apple Zone Mustang said that he has given permission to 4,300 healthy mountain goats to go to Myagdi through Jomsom after undergoing a veterinary examination. He said that so far other friends have also sent 4,300 mountain goats through me, but this year, mountain goats are less than the number in the past.

According to Inspector Ashish Adhikari of the District Police Office, Mustang, around 5,000 mountain goats have been moved from Jomsom to Myagdi till Monday. According to the inspector, traders from different districts have passed the quarantine in Mustang and taken the mountain goats to Myagdi via Marfa.

According to locals, last year, Mustang sold 40 per cent of its products and 60 per cent from China, but in the last two years, mountain goats have been imported only from Mustang and Dolpa.