Meat: At this time of the year, hoteliers in Trongsa stock meat for Zhipa Saga Dawai Duechen, the auspicious fourth month of the Bhutanese calendar.

This year, however, hoteliers here aren’t doing this.

Hoteliers have decided not to serve any meat item during the auspicious months and days. The recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu (DT) also endorsed the decision.

So, no meat items will be served on Chothrul Dawai Duechen, the first month of the Bhutanese calendar, and during the three auspicious days every month.

Hoteliers found serving meat items during the first and fourth months of the Bhutanese calendar will be fined Nu1,500. Customers will be fined Nu 500.

The DT decided that a committee with the support from Bhutan Agricultural Food Regulatory Authority will monitor whether people comply with the decision.

Phuntsho Pelri Hotel’s proprietor, Gembo, said he used to stock about 40kg of Sikam and about 70kg beef for the auspicious month.

Gembo said the decision was arrived at after a meting on April 12. “Some 18 hoteliers, members of Duedro Rangwang Tshogpa, representative from Royal Bhutan Police, geowg officials and officials from relevant agencies took part in the meeting,” he said “Of about 27 hotels in Trongsa, 18 who attended the meeting decided not to serve during auspicious months and days.”

Nubi Gup Tashi Penden said selling of meat was restricted but hoteliers stocked meat and served during the auspicious months. “This made the restriction of the sale of meat useless,” he said.

DT members said that hoteliers who were not present in the meeting might not agree with decision. But the DT chairperson said the decision was taken based on the views of the majority.

By Nima Wangdi | Trongsa