Taplejung, April 17 -- Livestock farmers in Taplejung's northern highlands say the continued closure of cross-border livestock trade with Tibet has left them unable to sell their animals, making them indifferent towards the promotion events such as a Chauri-Yak Festival. Chauris, the hybrid of yak and cows, are the source of livelihood for the people living in the highlands of Taplejung.

Chheten Sherpa Lama, the ward 7 chair of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality, Olangchung Gola, was recently advised at a municipal meeting to organise such a festival. He consulted livestock farmers in his ward and neighbouring areas.

The farmers, however, said they did not want a festival and instead requested him to take the initiative to reopen trade wit...