PRADBUNG: The tale of shepherds, who were once accused of illicit trade in medicinal herbs, are no more told in Taplejung and Panchthar.

These days, the shepherds, owners of yaks, have changed a lot. Being organised in groups, shepherds of half a dozen VDCs of the two districts — bordering India — have been preserving the flora in the locality. The shepherds have transformed into local conservationists, thanks to the initiative of a local club — Dipjyoti Youth Club in Panchthar — which has been organising herbs conservation programmes since 2004.

The Mountain Institute that has been running Biological Diversity Conservation and Sustainable Livelihood Programe, is supporting the club.

The livelihood programme is being run in seven VDCs, including Uttari Sidin, Memeng, Pradbung, Phalaincha, Chyangthapu of Panchthar and Taplejung’s Kalikhola and Surumkhim. Wangchu Bhutiya, officer of the programme, said that the institute also runs programmes against illegal trade of herbs and poaching of wild animals. We have been encouraged by the institute’s initiative, Dilli Kerung, president, Charicharan Gwala Samuha, Pradbung, said.

The area abounds in valuable herbs like Jatamasi, Kudki, Kalo Bikhuma, Phalebisha, Sunapati, Laudasalla, Sugandhawal, and Padamchal.

Earlier, even passers-by used to uproot the herbs but these days the shepherds are keeping a vigil against that, Debi Prasad Nepal, former chairman, Pradbung VDC, said. Some locals are even planning to cultivate the herbs on their own, according to Machhindra Begha of Phalaincha VDC-8.

Of the 200 different species of herbs found in Nepal, 60 are found in Panchthar’s Pradbung, Sidin, Memeng, Chyangthapu, Phalaincha VDCs and Talpejung’s Surumkhim and Kalikhola VDCs.