PHALEBASH: A total of 45,000 mountain goats will depart from trans-Himalayan district of Mustang to various markets across the country with the onset of the festive season.

This year 45,000 mountain goats will head out from the district alone, District Animal Service Office, Mustang said. Mustang's mountain goats are sold in Myagdi, Parbat, Baglung, Pokhara, Kathmandu and Tanahun among other districts.

The demand for mountain goat meat is high in the country's market as the meat of the goat from the cold alpine regions is considered to be tasty.

The cost of the mountain goats weighing 20 to 40 kilograms range from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000, District Animal Service Office Mustang's Chief Nanda Lal Barma said.