Mangalbare, December 9:

TMI, an organisation involved in conservation and promotion of Himalayan herbs, has started mobilizing animal herders to protect the valuable medicinal herbs found in northern parts of Ilam and upper regions of Panchthar.

TMI’s programme coordinator Karma Bhutia said around 200 herders have been mobilised in different groups so that they are able to prevent uncontrolled grazing by their animals in the community and other forests.

President of Himalayan Herb Production and Conservation Organisation, Netra Bahadur Burja, said the herbs can be protected if herders practice rotational grazing instead of uncontrolled grazing. The organisation has also been convincing people to practice stall-feeding the animals rather than graze them randomly.