Jimbu, the lucrative trade of Bhotejira

Jajarkot. The common people of Upper Dolpa, who have been deprived of collecting Yarsagumba due to Covid, have fallen into the valley for the trade of Bhotejira. The locals of Upper Dolpa, who have fallen in the lower region to avoid the cold weather, are collecting money from the trade of Jimbu and Bhotejira. Jimbu, Bhotejira is produced from this fragrant straw found in the roof of Upper Dolpa.

Janak Bahadur Shahi of Barekot-5 informed that although it is found in the high mountains of Barekot village municipality of Jajarkot, it is not as good as Dolpa. Iman Gurung said that he has been solving daily family problems with the money collected and sold in the forest as there is no food production in the fields. Like Gurung, Sarke Vaiju of Ward No. 7 and his wife are selling Jimbu in Chaurjahari Municipality of Rukum West.

Vaiju, who has been teaching his two sons in Kathmandu, says that he has been supporting his son’s education with the income earned from selling Jimbu every year. At present, the eldest is studying in class 10 and the youngest in class 7 in Kathmandu. He says that he is sending tuition fees from the money earned from selling Jimbu and Bhotejira. He said that the goods including Jimbu and Simi brought from Uplo Dolpa to Dunai on their backs were being exported from Dunai to Karnali and other places by putting them in tractors. Growing in Chauri Patan in the mountainous part of Upper Dolpa, this jumbo has been used extensively as it is fragrant when placed in pulses and vegetables.

Found in all the local level forests of Upper Dolpa, this fragrant jimbu is in high demand in other parts of the country. The locals have been collecting jimbu found in the forest for free and making it a good source of income.

Jimbu is found in Patan of Dolpo Buddha, Shefoxundo and Charkatangsung villages which are not geographically connected to the road network. Most of the locals collect jimbu and sell it in the outer districts. The Jimbu model is sold at Rs.50. As the jimbu dries up in Patan area in the month of October / November, the jimbu is picked at the same time. Locals of all ages, from children onwards, are involved in the production of jimbu. According to Bishnu Neupane, administrative officer of Foksundo village, some people have been earning good income by selling jimbu. According to Neupane, it will take time to bring the tax under the scope of taxation as a large scale business practice has not been started yet.

Demand for this specialty has grown significantly as a result of recent corporate scandals. Bhotejira, which is widely used in vegetables, meat and sauces, is found in the roof of the upper Dolpa. The cumin seeds, which weigh between 500 and 700 kg, are considered ‘organic’. Locals collect cumin seeds in the third week of Bhadra. Rasas