DEHRADUN: In the hills of Uttarakhand, some goats also have their day. On this ‘ Maha Shivratri ’, which will fall on February 24, as many as 15 goats will be decked up in finery and brought to a traditional “wedding ceremony” in Pantwari village of Tehri district , where three she goats will be waiting for them. It will be like a ‘swayamavar’-- a practice of choosing a husband from among a list of suitors.During the ceremony, each she goat will be left with five he goats thrice in a closed ring. The he goat, in whom the she goat shows interest, will be chosen as groom.The novel event, which is being organised by the state animal husbandry department in collaboration with an NGO, is aimed at improving the breed of goats through “selective mating” and to encourage villagers to take up goat farming.According to officials, all the arrangements are being done on the lines of a human wedding. The goats will be dressed up in traditional attires and proper religious rites, including ‘vidai’ (farewell) of the ‘bride’, will be performed.Speaking about the event, general manager of the NGO, Green Republic Organisation, Ajay Ghale, said: “We are trying to rear good breed so that villagers get good yield, not only from the agriculture but also from animal husbandry. After Tehri, we will promote this public wedding initiative in other hill districts as well.”On the occasion, the department of animal husbandry will also distribute free medicines and nutritional products for cattle. On the other hand, the villagers are also excited to see the fun-filled “wedding”.The ceremony will have all the elements of a wedding, including music. It will not only attract and amuse the villagers but also sensitise them about “fast depleting” good breeds of animals from the hills.“The thickness of milk and taste of goat flesh tell us that the quality of goats, even from the hills, is actually declining. The move is actually praiseworthy,” said Rama Negi, a villager from Jaunpur block, Tehri.