Livestock Transport Under Scrutiny in Nepal

Bijeta Bhandari/Shiva Silwal

Nepal produces around 500,000 metric tonnes of meat from livestock annually, including buffalo, goat, pig, and poultry, according to the Department of Livestock Services. However, the country still faces significant challenges in ensuring the safe and humane transportation of livestock across regions.

Every day, dozens of trucks entering the federal capital Kathmandu via the Prithvi Highway can be seen carrying livestock under poor conditions. Animals such as buffaloes are often tied by their tails, overcrowded beyond vehicle capacity, and tightly restrained with ropes around their noses and mouths-causing severe distress and raising serious animal welfare concerns.

Despite the visible nature of the problem, authorities have largely remained silent. However, the District Administration Office of Dhading has now stated that such practices will no longer be allowed to continue unchecked.

Chief District Officer of Dhading, Bijayraj Subedi said, “It’s not that these things aren’t seen from time to time; the District Administration Office is sensitive to the issues that arise, and regarding the legal procedures to be followed when managing livestock, we will control this through appropriate facilitation and coordination with the District Livestock Service Office, the livestock quarantine, the Nepal Police, and the Traffic Police”.

Legal provisions that address animal cruelty do exist in Nepal, however the stakeholders concerned have yet to respond in a visible and coordinated manner on this issue, which remains widespread.