BAJURA: Natural medicinal herbs have been illegally extracted and collected from Budhinanda and Badimalika region of Bajura district in recent times.

Rajan Rokaya, ward chair of Budhinanda Municipality-4 said, "Due to lack of monitoring from District Forest Division Office, contractors have been extracting herbs rampantly from national and community forests."

A herb locally known as Setak Chini, with the scientific name Moringa Oleifera, is being illegally extracted from the region, locals have claimed. This type of herb is mostly found in Bajura district and eight other districts in Nepal.

Dilip Kumar Yadav, ranger and in-charge of Area Forest Office, said, "Last week, District Forest Division Office seized 1,200 kilograms of Setak Chini from Budhinanda Municipality-4."

The herb's current market value is Rs 1.6 million, Yadav added.

Acting on a tip-off, a team consisting of Nepal Police, District Forest Office had reached the site. However, a local contractor, Jagbir Bohara managed to hide few kilograms of herbs and throw away remaining herbs in the river, according to Yadav.

District Forest Division Office Chief Dan Bahadur Shrestha accepted that locals have been extracting Setak Chini from every village without prior approval from the concerned authority.

Setak Chini is available in Nepali market at Rs 570 per kilogram.