Eight yarsagumba pickers died in two weeks in Dolpa district

June 6, Dolpa : Eight persons leaving their villages for picking yarsagumba, a precious herb, have lost their lives in Dolpa in the past two weeks.

Altitude sickness claimed six while two fell off the cliff. As the highland meadows are far from district headquarters, Dunai, it is difficult to get information about yarsa pickers on time. Although health camps are set up at various nine places in view of the health condition of the people picking the precious herb, the number of those losing life is growing.

More than a dozen falling sick have been receiving treatment. There are more than 70 highland meadows opened for yarsa picking in Dolpa.