DOLPA, June 1: Three people who had gone to pick the precious herb Yarshagumba died in Dolpa district in the past three days.

According to information officer of Shey Phokshundo National Park, Chatra Khadka, the deceased have been identified as Krishna Bujar, 18, of Barwkot rural municipality-1 and Ramesh Chalaune, 23 of Jajarkot district.

Similarly, 38-year-old Buddhi Karki of Thule Bhere rural municipality-11, died after falling off a cliff at Duna Yarsa Patan while he was walking in search of Yarshagumba on Thursday.

All the three had gone to remote Ramana area of Shey Phoksundo rural municipality to collect the Yarshagumba.

Yarsa collectors die after suffering from high altitude sickness while collecting the precious fungus, Yarshagumba in the highland areas of Dolpa every year in the summer season. Many Yarsa pickers are forced to abandon their trips midway due to health problems including altitude sickness.



