In the picturesque village of Patarasi-7, nestled in the heart of Majhpatan, a remarkable shepherd named Poorna Bahadur embarks on a solitary journey tending to his flock of sheep alongside his loyal companions, five vigilant dogs. While other herdsmen from neighboring villages have migrated to various destinations such as Dokhana, Khalipatan, Baliveer, Dandakhark, and Jhaydanda, Poorna Bahadur remains the sole shepherd in Majhapatan. Departing for Patan on June 13, he will only return to his village in the waning days of October.
Presently, Poorna Bahadur oversees a flock of 220 sheep, consisting of 43 sheep from Ratnlal Budha, 47 from Shiklal Budha, 40 from Rajkali Rawat, 30 from Purna Bahadur Budha, and 60 from Dan Bahadur Budha. Additionally, he tends to another 30 sheep on the same farm. His abode in Majhapatan is a modest makeshift hut, shielded from the elements by plastic bags and sheets of food packaging. Villagers with fewer than 20 sheep entrust their precious animals to him, relying on his expertise to safeguard their well-being during their sojourn in Patan.
In this tradition-steeped region, it is customary for several individuals to collectively employ a single shepherd due to their limited sheep count. Over the course of his six-month tenure in Patan, Poorna Bahadur assumes numerous responsibilities, including diagnosing and treating sheep ailments. He regularly communicates with the owners, providing updates on the flock’s condition. In Patan, his family members dutifully deliver sustenance to sustain him during his stay.
“For me, the six months in Patan encompass an entire world, and each sheep feels like a cherished family member,” Poorna Bahadur fondly remarks. “With the earnings from tending sheep, I am able to support my children’s education in Surkhet and Kathmandu.” However, he confesses that he remains oblivious to the subjects his children study, as his profound enjoyment in the company of his sheep often distracts him from the passage of time. “The idyllic pleasure of grazing amidst the verdant beauty of Patan, alongside the Setakala sheep, is truly unparalleled,” he adds.
As a token of appreciation for his steadfast dedication to the well-being of his four-legged friends, the sheep owners reward Poorna Bahadur with a single sheep each. Presently, the market value of a sheep ranges from 17,000 to 22,000 rupees. In addition to caring for others’ sheep, Poorna Bahadur manages a personal flock of 30 sheep. These sheep serve as his wages, ensuring his family’s sustenance. However, he expresses concern regarding the scarcity of grazing areas for sheep rearing, yet acknowledges that there is no alternative to raising sheep to support his family. “Our forefathers made a living through shepherding, and we cannot forsake our ancestral profession,” he proclaims. To sell sheep, he sends them to Nepalgunj and Surkhet during the Dasain-Tihar festival season. In Patan, he has constructed a shelter capable of accommodating 250 sheep, diligently guarded by his vigilant dogs throughout the night.
Endowed with extensive knowledge of sheep husbandry, Poorna Bahadur possesses a wealth of understanding about various diseases and their treatments. As soon as signs of illness manifest in the flock, he promptly dispatches for necessary medicines from the village. Skilled in administering medications and injections himself, he renders the services of a veterinarian unnecessary. The sheep are released into the pastures of Patan at dawn and corralled back into their enclosures, known as kharks, at dusk. Tigers and bears pose a constant threat, eliciting a sense of constant vigilance. In return for caring for the sheep of five families, Poorna Bahadur receives five sheep as remuneration in the month of Kattik. He attests that the earnings sustain his six-member household, consisting of himself, his wife, and their children. Moreover, the demand for wool in the local market remains high, as sheep’s wool is crafted into warm garments, known as Radipakhi.
Within Patmara village, which comprises 180 households, approximately 160 households engage in sheep rearing. Local residents venture to Patan, Dakhu, Maidhara, Baliveer, Dandakhark, Jhaydanda, and other locations for their sheep rearing endeavors. As the summer intensifies, the sheep from Jumla commence their migration toward Patan. Throughout the district, encompassing 60 wards across eight local levels, including a municipality, sheep gradually converge on Patan during this season.
Surendra Budha of Patmara laments that the villages become desolate once the itinerant herdsmen lead their sheep to the slaughterhouse. Since the initial days of May, the shepherds have transported their flocks to Patan. Ratnlal Budha, a local resident, laments the scarcity of grazing areas and grasslands near the villages, predicting a surge in commodity prices in Patan following the summer months. The shepherds diligently transport essential food and household supplies during their migration.
Embracing a transient lifestyle, these nomadic shepherds erect temporary shelters, utilizing cloth, tarpaulin, and stones. According to the Animal Hospital and Animal Services Office, Jumla boasts a sheep population of approximately 74,000. Gyanendra Singh Budthapa, the office’s director, acknowledges that sheep rearing yields favorable income. To further support farmers with flocks exceeding 50 sheep, the Karnali state government has instituted a shepherding allowance, providing a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500.