DOLPA: Lawmakers from Karnali State have asked the governments of all three levels to establish ‘Yarsha Pickers Relief Fund’ for the people in Karnali following a ban in Yarsha picking owing to the coronavirus crisis.
Yarshagumba, a lucrative herb with medicinal importance, is one of the major sources of income for the people in Jumla, Dolpa, Mugu, Humla, and Rukum West — the districts in the Karnali State.
The collection of this medicinal herb has been restricted this year with the nationwide lockdown to control the spread of coronavirus.
People of these districts largely depend on the Yarshagumba collection for the fulfillment of basic needs ranging from food to children’s education and health facilities.
The restriction in the harvesting is sure to push them towards a financial crisis, according to Karnali State Assembly member Bir Bahadur Shahi.
Another State Assembly member Badami Kwari Bohara said people mainly of Dolpa, Jumla, Humla, Mugu and Rukum East had been affected mostly by the restriction in Yarsha collection, underlining the need of setting up the fund to prevent them from facing hunger and crisis.
“The upcoming budget should address the issue.” Yarsha is available in the high altitudes of these districts including Dolpa.
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