Visitors flock the ‘Chicken and Egg Festival’ in Kathmandu

Sales of chicken may have drastically reduced in the capital amid scare of the bird flu virus, but people thronged to the ‘Chicken and Egg Festival’ organized in the capital on Friday and enjoyed free chicken delicacies served to them.

Organised jointly by half a dozen organisations involved in poultry business, the event aimed at allaying fears of consumers regarding the scare of bird flu virus. Officials say though the virus has been reported in some parts of India, it is yet to make its inroads into Nepal.

Poultry entrepreneurs say their business has come down by more than 60 percent over the last one month. "As we were expecting some improvement in the business, the indefinite blockade called by the Maoists has hit us very badly," Guna Chandra Bista, president of the Nepal Hatchery Industry Association told Nepalnews.

Bista said the Association has deployed surveillance teams in every chicken firm and has asked the members to maintain extreme caution to avoid the transmission of virus from the neighbouring country.

According to the Association, production of one kg chicken costs around Rs 120. The market price at present has, however, gone down to Rs 70 per kg.

According to organizers, over 30,000 people participated in the festival and tasted roasted chicken. nepalnews.com ia Mar 18 06