Dhankuta, June 17: Chiraito – a herb with medicinal properties – found in abundance in the eastern hills is facing extinction due to various reasons.
The figures show that Chiraito production is gradually on decline. The total export of Chiraito stood at 419 metric tones during the Fiscal Year 2051/52 B. S. while it fell to 255 metric tones in 2055/56 B. S.
Chiraito has been a good source of income of the local farmers. The export value of Chiraito from Bashantapur-Dhankurta-Dharan route alone touched 14 million rupees during the FY 2046/47.
The present market value of Chiraito ranges between 150 to 400 rupees per kilogram.
A botanist two decades ago said that 19 varieties of Chiraito were available in the eastern hills of Nepal out of which Suberat and Suberata Angurbatifolia have been used for years for medicinal and business purposes.
Found between the altitude of 1,200 metres to 3,000 metres, Chiraito is on the verge of extinction due to lack of awareness among the farmers, its harvest before it is fully grown, grazing of the cattle where Chiraito grows, absence of commercial farming, lack of technical know-how and protection measures, lack of co-operation between the farmers and traders and its illegal trade.
Herbs Production and Processing Company had started the farming of Chiraito in Ilam, Sankhusabha and Gorkha districts a few years ago with a view to promote Chiraito. The company however has failed to give continuity to the programme. Community Development and Research Centre also has been running programmes for the promotion of Chiraito. “Despite these efforts, Chiraito production has not recorded a growth,” Pakhribas Agricultural Research Centre (PARC)’s scientist Dr. Tanka Prasad Barakoti said.
Farmers and other organisations also have been involved in the promotion of Chiraito. Dambar Singh Limbu of Terathum said that he produces two quintals of Chiraito every year and earns 80 thousand rupees.
PARC has been carrying out an investigation on Chiraito farming. Barakoti said that the concerned authorities should run awareness and training programmes to attract the farmers to Chiraito production.
Barakoti said that Forest Ministry should initiate Chiraito farming programmes, adding the farmers should be rovided with loans for the same.
PARC’s technical officer Yubaraj Thapa stressed the co-operation between the farmers and businessmen.
The farmers said that Community Forestry Programme should provide them with loans for Chiraito farming.