Beni (Myagdi), May 15: The rare Shaligram, a fossilized shell which holds religious significance for the Hindus and found only along the banks of Kaligandki river in Nepal, is nearing extinction due to unrestrained theft and smuggling.

The Shiligram is also known as Shila found only at the Kaligandaki river stretch from Kagbeni to Ridi area in Gulmi. The Shila is extensively stolen along the bank from Myagdi’s Galeshwor area to Kagbeni of the trans-Himalayan district of Mustang.

Five years ago, the then Chief District Office of Myagdi, Ram Bahadur Kurumbang, formed a committee for Shaligram Conservation Campaign which is now inactive.

Hindus worship Shaligram as a part of God Vishnu. It is kept at various temples, shrines and houses for worship. The different shapes of Shaligrams are often associated with different incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

According to the Ayurvedic medicinal science, the Shaligram-dipped water if used as a concoction with the juice of the leaf of tulasi plant or Ocimum tenuilflorum can be helpful in curing various diseases related to the abdomen.