SANKHUWASABHA: Hundreds of yarsagumba collectors in the Makalu National Park and other community forests in the district have been taking shelter in local houses due to heavy snowfall in the upper reaches of the district.

According to Rajdhan Rai, a resident of Makalu VDC, the herb hunters have been stranded in Num, Makalu, Pathibhara and other VDCs in the district. The prized herb, which is believed to possess aphrodisiac values, can be found in more than 10 VDCs in the district, including Makalu, Hatiya, Chepuwa, Tamku, Yamphu, Diding, Mantewa, Bala and Sishuwa. The yarsagumba collectors had started flocking to these VDCs in the second week of May.

The Makalu Barun National Park and the community forest users’ groups permitted yarsagumba collection only this year. The national park has been charging Rs 10,000 for the collection of each kilogram of yarsagumba.

“We will give permission for yarsagumba collection as soon as the snowfall stops,” acting assistant conservation officer Yubagar Regmi said. Regmi also hoped that a total of 600 kg yarsagumba would be collected from the national park and other community forests.Two days ago, a herb hunter died due to altitude sickness.