32.5 kg of Yarsagumba harvested

By Yadu Prasad Bhatta,Manang, July 28: The collection of Yarsagumba from Namke Kharka in Manang, which began on May 12, has concluded. A total of 32.5 kilograms of Yarsagumba was harvested from the area by the end of July.

Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Manang, reported that the harvested Yarsagumba was successfully exported, generating Rs. 1.6 million in revenue. 

The export fee was set at Rs. 51,000 per kilogram. From this amount, Rs. 10,000 is allocated for the Conservation Area Management Committee and another Rs. 10,000 is directed to the local levels.

While Yarsagumba is found in several locations, approximately 200 collectors received permission to harvest from Namke Kharka in Naso Rural Municipality-8. Collecting medicinal herbs requires a permit, and individuals are allowed to access the Kharka only after obtaining proper authorization.

Namke Kharka has been designated as the primary collection site for Yarsagumba. Yad Ghale, Coordinator of the Conservation Area Management Committee and Ward President of Naso-8, confirmed that permission was granted for the collection. 

"Under the coordination of the ACAP and the Manang area office, the Conservation Area Management Committee ensures that Yarsagumba collection is permitted only with prior authorization. 

This provision allows both local residents and individuals from outside districts to collect the Yarsagumba," he said.

In 2009 AD, Yarsagumba collection in Manang resulted in a tragic incident where locals killed seven individuals from Gorkha in Namke Kharka located in Nar. Following this, collection activities in Nar and Phu villages were suspended due to security concerns. 

"To address security issues and prevent incidents as in the past, we have restricted Yarsagumba collection to local residents only. Collectors from other districts are not allowed," said Konjo Tenzing Lama, Chairman of Narpabhumi Rural Municipality.

As Nar and Phu areas are designated as protected and restricted zones, the decision to limit collection to locals aims to avoid repeating conflicts as in the past.