Livelihoods of mountain communities are unravelling as overharvesting drains Himalayan herbal wealth
Summary
Mountain communities in Bajhang are facing severe livelihood challenges as overharvesting and declining production of medicinal herbs like yarsagumba drastically reduce their income, forcing many to migrate for work.
Key Points
- Overharvesting and climate change have drastically reduced yarsagumba and other medicinal herb production in Bajhang, Nepal.
- Families once earning substantial income from herbal collection now face debt, migration, and economic hardship.
- Medicinal herb trade in Bajhang has declined by approximately 70%, severely impacting the local economy.
- Wild garlic and satuwa, other valuable herbs, are also becoming scarce due to excessive and untimely harvesting.
