KATHMANDU, July 19: In the difficult Himalayan district of Manang, Rs 2,644,229 was collected in revenue from the sale of wild herbs in the fiscal year 2022/23.
According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Office, Manang, the revenue was collected from the sale of wild herbs such as Yarsagumba, forest garlic, jimbu, timur, nigalo found in the Annapurna Conservation Area in the district.
According to Lekhnath Gautam, head of the office, the Annapurna Conservation Area project collected Rs 2,548,200 from Yarsagumba sales, Rs 46,996 from forest garlic sales, Rs 11,911 from Jimbu sales, Rs 3,350 from Nigalo and Rs 34,592 from timber. “The sale of medicinal herbs is considered to be the main source of income in Manang," he said.
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According to him, 82.2 kilograms of Yarsagumba, 1,561.2 kilograms of forest garlic, 1,119.1 kilograms of jimbu, 3,350 pieces of nigalo and 458.59 cubic feet of timber were sold this season.
According to him, in FY 2021/22, as much as 2306.5 kilograms of jimbu, 1017.65 kilograms of forest garlic, 30.5 kilograms of gucchi mushroom, 1300 units of nigalo, 107.052 kilograms of yarsagumba, and 1867.58 cubic feet of timber were sold. Gautam said that although the weight of herbs decreased in the year 2022/23, the revenue increased.
Last year, the revenue declined due to COVID-19 impacting the sale of wild herbs and wood. However, this year, revenue increased as herb collection became easier. The collected revenue will be sent to the Finance Commission, with 50% allocated to the state and local governments and the remaining 50% to the federal government.
The local level in Manang believes that keeping income from herb collection within the community will boost internal revenue and support their goal of progress and cleanliness. However, a major concern is that sending some income to the federal government leads to reduced revenues.
Among the four local levels in the district, Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality records the highest herb collection, while Narpa Bhumi Rural Municipality, with limited road access, has the least. Various locations like Khangsar, Pisang Lake, Ice Lake, Yakkhark, Bhraka Lake, Chong Kar, and Ponkar are key herb collection sites in Manang Ngiseng. Meanwhile, Chame Rural Municipality yields mushrooms and forest garlic, and Narpa Bhumi Rural Municipality collects wild herbs from Namge, Bhimthang, Drona Lake, Tiliche Bhimthang, Phu, Nar, Kangla, and Hulaki Odar.
The contractor takes the contract to collect wild herbs and brings in external collectors who are paid between Rs 30,000 to 40,000 for cutting the herbs. Hired laborers continue this collection for approximately two months in Kharka.
