Environment

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the Marma Rural Municipality of Darchula have signed a memorandum of understanding on the conservation and processing of the valuable herb, Yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis). 

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Dilendra Prasad Badu signed the MoU in an exchange for cooperation for setting up a centre for conservation and processing of the rare herb in Marma, Latinath of Darchula district. Marma is located in Api Nampa Conservation Area in the Darchula district. 

As per the MoU, the conservation and processing centre would be set up with the participation of the private sector.

Minister Badu said that the Ministry has the objective of conserving the fertile areas in the mountainous region of the country, including in the Sudurpaschim province, where Yarsagumba is found. 

He further said more studies and research on the coveted herb would be carried out. "We are starting the scientific study on Yarsagumba and all its aspects," he added.

According to him, the Ministry has the objective of deputing expert teams to the areas across the country where Yarsagumba is found, for the purpose of its study and research.

He recalled that he had taken initiative for setting up Yarsagumba processing centre and conserving it since he became the Minister for Forests and Environment. 

Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Toya Narayan Gyawali, said Yarsagumba is one of the valuable medicinal herbs that introduced Nepal to the world. 

He said that the Ministry is vigorously working to export Yarsagumba to the world market with the Nepali logo identifying it as the Nepali brand.

Jaman Singh Dhami, the chairperson of the rural municipality, underlined the need of conserving this valuable herb and taking steps for its processing to boost the local economy.

"We are very excited with the signing of exchange of cooperation for the establishment of a Yarsagumba processing centre in our locality," he said. - RSS