JUMLA, May 10: The Shey Phoksundo National Park Office has fined 74 people for illegally collecting Yarsagumba, also known as the caterpillar fungus, in the patan area of ​​Dolpa.

The arrested individuals were fined Rs 2000 each after being caught by security personnel and park staff, according to Bishwa Babu Shrestha, senior conservation officer of Shey Phoksundo National Park Office.

Though it was decided to start collecting yarsagumba from May 23, as many as 74 individuals were arrested while trying to enter the patan area secretly to collect yarsagumba.

According to him, they used illegal routes to enter the park area to pick yarsagumba. According to Shrestha, no one is allowed to enter the patan area without proper permission and those who violate this rule are penalized accordingly.

Park officials stated that allowing unauthorized individuals to collect yarsagumba could lead to financial losses for those who have the permission to collect the herb.