MUGU, June 4: The local authorities of Mugu have collected Rs 10 million in revenue from entry fee charged to yarsagumba collectors in the district. People from the district as well as outside have reached the highlands of Mugumkarmarong Rural Municipality of Mugu to collect the prized fungus which is found in abundance in the district. Chairperson of ward-2 of the rural municipality, Karma Tamang said, “Although we issued the entry permits on May 29, the collectors were allowed to enter the pastures three days later as they arrived late at the base camp in Shiranchaur.”
This season, 1990 yarsagumba collectors from outside and 2353 from within the district have already entered the highlands to collect the fungus, knows for is purported aphrodisiac property.
Rs 9 million revenue collected from Yarsa pickers
“The possibility of revenue generation is likely to increase if the entry permits are opened for a few more days,” said ward Ganga Prasad Neupane.
Yarsagumba is found in many areas of the Himalayan belt in Mugu including Rimar, Sano Koiki, Thulo Koiki, Hangdang River, Chhapa Khola, Chyarku, Majhithang, etc.
This year, the local herb collectors were charged entry fee of Rs 2000 while collectors from outside the district were charged Rs 2500.