Yarsagumba Collection Begins in Mustang's High Mountains

Mustang. The collection of Yarsagumba has started in various places in Mustang. Yarsagumba collection has begun in the high mountains under the Kunjo, Kowang, and Tukuche conservation area management committees in the lower region of Thasang Rural Municipality.

Yarsagumba is a herb found at an altitude of three thousand to six thousand meters above sea level. Yarsa is collected every year from Baishakh to Ashad end in more than half a dozen places in the Baragung Muktikshetra, Gharphjong, and Thasang Rural Municipalities.

Local residents of the district, individuals with temporary residence in the district, and a significant number of people from outside the district reach the mountains for Yarsa collection. Deepak Oli, Natural Resource Conservation Assistant at Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Jomsom, informed that the Conservation Area Management Committees (CMCs) under ACAP grant permission for Yarsagumba collection after charging a fee.

The offices determine the work procedures and standards for the entire Yarsa collection period. Permission is granted with conditions to prevent risks, poaching, forest fires, and undesirable or criminal incidents that may occur during collection.

Jeevan Thakaali, Chairman of the Kowang CMC in Thasang Rural Municipality, informed that the committee has distributed Yarsa collection permits to the general public. According to him, a fee of Rs 3,500 is collected from locals and Rs 7,000 from those coming from outside the district.

The Kowang committee has opened collection in the mountains such as Mulikharka, Muli, Padke, Thulo Sare, and Sanu Sare. So far, nine locals and 87 others have obtained permits for the committee's mountain areas.

Collection has also been opened in Batase of Thasang. Forty-five people have obtained permits for that mountain area. The Tukuche committee has set a fee of Rs 1,000 for locals and Rs 3,000 for individuals from outside the district.

Yarsagumba collection has also commenced in the Kunjo mountain area of Thasang. Pawan Gurung, Secretary of the conservation management committee in Gharphjong Rural Municipality, informed that the committee is preparing to grant permission for Yarsagumba collection from Baishakh 25.

The Jomsom committee has set a fee of Rs 4,000 for locals of Jomsom, Thini, and Dhumba villages for Yarsagumba collection, and Rs 6,000 per person for those who have been living temporarily in the same area and have established homes and farms.

The Muktinath Conservation Area Management Committee of Baragung Muktikshetra-1 is preparing to open Yarsa collection from Jeth 2. Lakpa Tashi Gurung, Secretary of the Muktinath Conservation Area Management Committee, informed that the committee grants permission for Yarsa collection in mountains such as Ner Jhong, Liri, Risamba, and Chimighwa.

Individuals or traders collecting Yarsa must pay Rs 3,100 in revenue if they need to export Yarsa outside the district.