NEPAL: People flock to high altitude areas in western Nepal collecting yarsagumba

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KATHMANDU, Nepal / Xinhua / Asia / June 4, 2010

Hundreds of people have flocked to the high altitude areas of Mustang district in western Nepal to collect yarsagumba, a prized herb with aphrodisiac properties, regarded internationally as Himalayan Viagra.

According to Friday's report from Nepal's National News Agency RSS, many people from Baglung, Rukum, Rolpa, Dolpa, Solukhumbu, Taplejung and other parts of the country have come to the jungles of the district to collect the herb.

The collection began in mid-May, according to Tejendra Gauchan, secretary of Kunjo Village Development Committee (VDC) Conservation Area Management Committee under the Annapurna Area Conservation Project.

Those willing to collect the herb must acquire permission from the VDC Conservation Area Management Committee. The committee said that over 1,000 people have come to collect yarsagumba.

The committee grants permission by charging 2,000 Nepali rupees (some 27 U.S. dollars) from each individual. Those coming to collect yarsagumba are from children of 8-10 years of age and elderly of 50-60 years of age.

The yarsagumba collection season lasts for three months.

Source: Xinhua

Photo by courtesy of Himalayan Excursion