Dolpa, May 4: The Nepalese Army has arrested 13 yarshagumba smugglers from western area of Kagmara Mounation in Dolpa district.

Among the arrested are seven from Jajarkot district, two from Jumla and five from Dolpa district, according to Shey- Phoksundo National Park.

The local body officially declares the opening of yarshagumba picking every year. Yet, smugglers make their way to upland meadows in the mountainous region to illegally collect yarshagumba, a unique caterpillar-fungus fusion of medicinal value.

The official opening of yashagumba picking for this year starts on May 23, according to an official of Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Devendra GC.

The arrested will be booked under the prevention and control of smuggling of rare herbs related law. RSS