Availability of herbs declining

Medicinal herbs is the main source of income for Bajura folks

Bajura, October 19

Availability of various types of valuable medicinal herbs have been declining due to rampant deforestation and illegal collection of such herbs in Bajura.

Bichchhya, Rugin, Jukot, Wai, Sappata, Gotri, Jagannath, Kolti, Dahakot, Pandusen, Kailashmandu, Aatichour, Manakot, among other VDCs, are said to be rich in terms of such rare, valuable herbs in Bajura.

Medicinal herb is the main source of income for the locals of the district. Each household of the VDCs earn Rs 20,000 to Rs 5,00,000 each season by selling medicinal herbs. But, availability of medicinal herbs has been declining due to deforestation.

The locals complained that the District Forest Office, which is the monitoring and controlling body of the government, has remained mum regarding this matter. The office has said that availability of herbs have declined due to rampant exploitation of herbs by the locals.

It has also been said that the contractors purchase the herbs at nominal cost but trade them for high prices. Guchchi mushroom, which they purchas for Rs 4,000 was sold for Rs 22,000 in Nepalgunj. As the local traders are not acquainted with the market prices, they are usually duped.

According to contractors, the herbs worth more than Rs 200 million is exported to various districts and the countries from the district every year. However, district forest office informed that herbs worth around Rs 100 million is traded in the district. The contractors have not only been cheating customers but also evading tax.

A total of 65 medicinal herbs including yarsagumba, samaya, satuwa, red mushroom, guchchi mushroom, jatamasi, sugandhawal, panchaule, chiraito, bojo, lasune among others are found in the district alone.