KATHMANDU, MAY 19 Herbal processing plants established in the buffer zone of Shuklaphanta National Park to support local livelihoods have fallen into disuse due to a lack of sustainable market linkages and declining returns from medicinal plant production. The facilities, set up with donor support at Kasaraul (Ward No. 6), Juda (Ward No. 7) and Beldandi (Ward No. 8) of Shuklaphanta Municipality, were aimed at promoting cultivation and processing of medicinal herbs, generating alternative income sources for buffer zone communities and reducing human–wildlife conflict. However, most of the plants and associated infrastructure have now become derelict. Local stakeholders say farmers have gradually abandoned the cultivation of medicinal herbs such as chamomile and mint after initial enthusiasm faded due to unstable prices and lack of buyers. Shade houses constructed for drying and processing herbs are also reported to be in a deteriorating condition. According to Bharat Bahadur Bista, chairperson of the Sundevi Consumer Group in the buffer zone, farmers initially benefited from strong demand, with essential oils of chamomile and mint fetching between Rs 25,000 and Rs 40,000 per litre. 'At that time traders were coming directly to the villages, and farmers were encouraged to expand cultivation,' he said. However, prices began to decline sharply in subsequent years, dropping to around Rs 10,000 per litre and later to as low as Rs 5,000 per litre. Local farmers said that market access eventually dried up completely. 'In the third year, no traders came to buy the oil. We could not recover our investment,' said Janak Saud, a local farmer. Farmers also reported difficulties in selling their products even after transporting them to Nepalgunj, often returning without securing fair prices. 'We had to store the oil for long periods and still could not sell it properly,' said another farmer, Jaya Bahadur Air. Locals estimate that each processing plant may have cost over Rs 70 million to establish. They attribute the failure largely to weak market management and lack of institutional support for product marketing and value chain development. Despite the setback, farmers say they remain hopeful that with assured markets and fair pricing mechanisms, medicinal herb cultivation in the buffer zone could still be revived to support local livelihoods. (With inputs from RSS)