138 individuals receive permits to collect Yarsagumba in Darchula

Darchula: A total of 138 individuals have so far received permission to collect Yarsagumba, a valuable medicinal herb found in the Himalayan region of Darchula.

The Apinampa Conservation Area Office began distributing permits from the last week of Baisakh, and by Monday, the same number of local collectors had obtained authorization.

According to Information Officer Arun Chaudhary, all permits issued so far are ‘blue cards’ provided to indigenous residents within the conservation area. To facilitate access, permits are being distributed from 11 locations across the district, including the conservation office.

The conservation area has categorized three types of identity cards with corresponding fees based on geographical location. The blue card costs Rs 500 per person for locals within the conservation area, the yellow card costs Rs 2,000 for other residents of Darchula district, and the red card costs Rs 3,000 for individuals from outside the district.

As per the Yarsagumba Transportation and Management Procedure-2073, collection is permitted annually only from Jestha 15 to Ashar 15. However, despite the official collection period yet to begin, some locals have already started gathering Yarsagumba since Baisakh.

Key Yarsagumba collection areas in Darchula include Lolu, Apifed, Satganga, Kataighate, Khola, Chaimtela, Dharamghar, Shayanampa, Dopakhe, and Dumling.

The Conservation Area Office has urged all stakeholders not to collect Yarsagumba or other herbs without proper permits and to comply with legal procedures.