KALIKOT: Over-harvesting and the lack of proper conservation has pushed the valuable herbs in the Karnali zone to the brink of extinction.

Karnali region is a rich storehouse of medicinal herbs and herb collection has become an important means of income to the disadvantaged people of this region. However, in recent years, the activity has become more rapid because of its high market value that has led to the gradual depletion of the plants, the herb traders said.

Now people have made their search for herbs more intensive by venturing to higher altitudes and steep terrain in the mountains as it has become increasingly difficult to find herbs at lower altitudes and alpine slopes due to over-exploitation.