Chhekampar folks flock to highlands to pick Yarasagumba

GORKHA: Residents of Chhekampar in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-7, Gorkha, have started flocking to the highlands to collect Yarsagumba (a caterpillar fungus) of medicinal values.

With the beginning of the harvesting season, some have already left for Chheke and Baju, while others are preparing to set out for the collection sites.

According to local Chhiring Phunjo Lama, the adverse weather has caused inconvenience to them for the travel.

High-quality Yarsagumba plants are found in the Chheke and Baju highlands, and harvesting this valuable herb remains a major source of income for the people of northern Gorkha.

Residents begin their journey to collect Yarsagumba from the third week of April. They typically spend around two and a half months in the highlands, taking food and clothing with them, often transported by yaks.

During this period, most houses in the villages remain locked, as entire families along with their livestock migrate to the highlands for the collection of the plant, said former people’s representative Pasang Phunjo Lama.

They reside in makeshift tents in the Yarsagumba-picking areas. Those unable to make the journey due to physical or other limitations stay behind under the care of visitors invited from Rongba, the lower region.

Each person generally earns between Rs. 200,000 and Rs. 400,000 per season from harvesting and selling Yarsagumba.

However, Chhiring Phunjo expressed concern that the plant has gradually become scarce in recent years, stating that it may not be found after some years.

Each household here are required to pay Rs 500 to the community-level committee and Rs 500 to the local government to take permission for collecting the plant.