Herbal Resources of Dolpa

Abstract
The flora of the Nepal Himalaya contains 10,167 plant species, of which over 7,000 are flowering plants and over 1,600 species are medicinal and aromatic herbs (Shrestha et al. 2000). The herbs, representing about 25% of the total country’s vascular flora, are used under different traditional systems including the Ayurveda, Homeopathic, Home herbal (folklore) and Amchi (traditional Tibetan medicine) medicinal systems. Thirty percent medicinal plant species of the country occur in the western part of the country. Western mountain regions lifestyle is depend upon the income from these herbal resources prevailing in that area.

Introduction
Dolpa lies between latitude 28 degrees 45 minutes to 29 degree 45minutes N and longitude 82 degrees 30 minutes to 83 degree 30 minutes east. It occupies an area of 7889 sq.km at the height of 1525-7754 M from sea level.Dolpa is well known as the Nepal’s largest district. It is rich in cultural and biological diversity.

Temperature of Dolpa varies from max.25 degree C to min -8 degree c. Due to which Dolpa is rich in medicinal plants. It is famous for the well known herbs YarsaGumba (Cardysips synenis).The variations of climate, soil and altitudes are responsible for these diversity. Due to richness in herbal resources the economic status is maintained. The income from these herbal resources contributes to the local and national economy through the generation of employment, not only local farmers and collectors are benefited but the whole stake holder related to herbal industry are benefited too.

Herbal drugs are playing an important role in health care programs world-wide
The need for conservation of medicinal plants being increasingly recognizes at local and national level. As medicinal herbs not only provide raw material for manufacture of drugs but also have reserved the local inhabitants for long time in traditional health care system and various other domestic consumption.

Among the 529 useful plant species recorded from Dolpa district so far, more than 400 species are medicinal plant such as Allium wallichii, Cordyceps sinensis, Aconitum, Allium, Arisaema, Berberis, Corydalis, Gentiana, Hippophae, Juniperus, Rhododendron,etc . The plants are widely used as resource for grazing in the Himalayas. Rotational grazing of livestock and selective harvesting mainly applied by Amchis were only the sustainable management approaches aimed at constraining pressures.

Medicinal plants are very important natural resources. Measures like conservation of rare species, systematic cultivation of economical profitable species and central of deforestation can greatly help being increasing these resources.

Mainly Dolpa is famous for Yarchagumba. Every year during May and June, thousands of villagers from remote areas risking their own lives head for high mountains to collect cordyceps or yarsagumba or yarchagumba. It is estimated that one villager can earn up to Rs. 2,500 approximately to $35 a day by collecting cordyceps or yarsagumba or yarchagumba which is beyond the monthly salary of many Nepalese households. Dolpa – a remote district in western Nepal with high steep valleys and dry climate is one of the foremost areas for collecting Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba. Almost 50% of the annual supply of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba comes from Dolpa alone. Here, not only the adults but school goers also take unofficial holidays in search of the gold rush. Collection of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba was illegal until 2001 but following its popularity and the lobbying from various organizations, the Government lifted the ban but imposed a royalty rate of Rs. 20,000 (US$ 280) per kilogram(2.2lbs). One kilo of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba that costs about Rs. 315 (US$ 5/6) in 1992 increased to Rs. 105,000 (US$ 1,435) by the year 2002 and the price has been shooting up so as the international interest on the mysterious half-caterpillar-half-mushroom known as Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba.

Conclusion:

What we conclude that it is Dolpa is rich in herbal resources and the life is suatined by income from these herbal resources but due to lack of knowledge and technology the amount of herbal collection is decreasing day by day. Proper care should be given on the sustainable management and consumption of herbal resources.This approach is much more important for rare and threatened species.

Reference:
Ripu M Kunwar,Bal K Nepal, Hari B Kshhetri,Sanjeev K Rai,1 and Rainer W Bussmann,2006, Ethnomedicine in Himalaya: a case study from Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Mustang districts of Nepal,Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnobiomedicine

Kunwar, R.M. 2002. Some threatened medicinal and aromatic plants: status, trade and management practice in Dolpa district, midwestern Nepal. Journal of Natural History Museum 21:173-186


Suraj Upadhaya
BSC forestry
Institute of Forestry
Kathmandu Forestry College
Kathmandu
luckysuraj@gmail.com