Bird flu leaves Kavre poultry farmers counting losses as they await compensation

While authorities have contained the outbreak in seven districts, the virus continues to spread across the Kathmandu Valley and Kavre, exposing weak quarantine enforcement and poor farm biosecurity.

Eight years ago, Pradip Karki invested Rs150,000 to start a poultry farm on rented land in Panauti Municipality-8, hoping to build a sustainable livelihood. Over time, the 43-year-old from Panauti Municipality-6 expanded the business to 5,000 layer chickens and was earning around Rs150,000 a month. Encouraged by steady returns, he had planned to double his flock.