Karnali province generates Rs 41.7 million from herb exports

Karnali Province generated over Rs 41.7 million in revenue during the last fiscal year through the export of medicinal herbs, according to the provincial Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment. The revenue was collected from the sale of 58 different species of medicinal plants harvested within the region.

Mahesh Nepali, an information officer at the ministry, stated that the province collected exactly Rs 41,768,999 from these exports. Data provided by the ministry indicates that while a total of 2,158,582.945 kilograms of herbs were gathered throughout the year, 1,946,875.705 kilograms were successfully exported.

Top contributors to revenue

Lichen, locally known as jhyaau, emerged as the highest revenue generator among the exported species. With a royalty rate of Rs 50 per kilogram, the export of 181,609 kilograms of the herb brought in Rs 9,585,400. Jatamasi followed closely, with 96,792 kilograms exported at a rate of Rs 75 per kilogram, contributing Rs 8,788,875 to the provincial treasury.

Despite its high value, Yarsagumba—often referred to as life-saving herb—accounted for a smaller volume of total exports. Although the royalty rate for Yarsagumba is set at Rs 31,000 per kilogram, only 251.656 kilograms were sold, generating Rs 7,544,371 in revenue.

Other significant contributors included katuki, which generated Rs 2,381,680 from the sale of 34,445 kilograms, and setak chini, which brought in Rs 2,046,575 from 41,732 kilograms. The ministry also reported revenue from several other varieties, including timur, shilajit, sugandhawal, and rittha.

These figures were reported by multiple outlets, including Khabarhub, Onlinekhabar, and Nagarik News, citing official ministry data. The export of these natural resources remains a critical economic activity for the Karnali region, highlighting the province's reliance on its diverse forest products to bolster its annual revenue.