Four held for illegal Yarsagumba collection in Tehrathum
According to police, 13 pieces of Yarsagumba and nine motorcycles were seized from them during the operation.
KATHMANDU: Police in Tehrathum District have arrested four individuals on charges of illegally collecting Yarsagumba without official permission from local authorities.
The arrested persons are Jeevan Limbu, Karna Bahadur Limbu, Badal Limbu, and Harka Bahadur Shrestha of Madi Municipality–9 in Sankhuwasabha District.
According to police, 13 pieces of Yarsagumba and nine motorcycles were seized from them during the operation.
Acting on intelligence that around 20–25 people were illegally harvesting the valuable Himalayan herb in the Bhusine–Jiptare Community Forest area of Myanglung Municipality–6, a police team was deployed to the site on Tuesday.
The suspects were apprehended along with the collected Yarsagumba near where their motorcycles were parked, police said.
They have been handed over to the Division Forest Office for further action.
Forest officials stated that Yarsagumba collection is allowed only after paying government royalties.
Unauthorized collection is subject to a fine of Rs 31,000 per kilogram and Rs 31 per piece.
Officials also noted that the forest office collects significant annual revenue, including around Rs 300,000 from exports and Rs 40–50 million from timber-related forest products.
