Bhojpur, Aug 18: Sheep farmers in Bhojpur district are struggling due to insufficient grazing land and the growing threat from stray dogs, pushing many out of the business.
Veteran farmer Govinda Khathet, 72, said sheep farming in the Maiyung area has been under serious threat. “Almost 20 farmers quit in the past two years. We have to pay to graze sheep in community forests, and on top of that, stray dogs have caused huge losses,” he lamented.
Currently, only 18 to 20 commercial sheep farmers remain in the Maiyung region spanning Bhojpur and Khotang districts. Farmers have warned that the practice may disappear altogether unless state authorities provide protection and support.
Seven community forests in the area charge grazing fees ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 per year, irrespective of the duration of use. “The rates vary since each community forest has its own rules, but farmers must pay for the full year even if the sheep graze only three months,” locals complained.
Another farmer, Sher Bahadur Kathet, stressed that stray dogs are the biggest menace, killing around 100 sheep in the last six months alone. “The local government should act to control stray dogs if sheep farming is to be promoted,” he urged.
Sheep farming has long been an important livelihood in the high hills of Bhojpur and Khotang, with farmers relying on wool, ghee, and other products. However, without immediate intervention, locals fear the tradition may vanish. #sheep #nepal
