Yarcha, not school, attracts students

JAJARKOT, MAY 22 -
Kamala Shahi, giving up her studies for at least a month, has set out on a journey to neighbouring Dolpa. The 10th grader at Saraswoti Secondary School in Nayakwada is lured by Yarchagumba (Cordyceps sinesis).
Kamala earned Rs 45,000 last year with the Yarchagumba she collected in various highlands in Dolpa district. “We need to rush for Yarcha in its season to earn a living. It is the sole source of income to meet household and school expenditures,” she said.  
This is just a case in point. Almost all secondary level students, a majority of lower secondary ones and some of the primary level have accompanied their guardians in their search for the medicinal herb in Dhime, Paink, Ramidanda, Nayakwada, Rokayagaun, Sakla, Khagenkot and Ragda, among other Jajarkot VDCs. According to Kamala, most of her friends have started off or are all set to leave for Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Mugu to collect Yarcha, also known as Himalayan Gold.
Schools have been shut down unofficially as their classrooms remain vacant. About 100 schools have already been closed in the region. “Teaching-learning activities have been halted as students are absent in the recent days,” said Narayan Bahadur Singh, headmaster at the Dalli-based Tirbhuvan Higher Secondary School.
Most of the villagers, except the children and elderly, have left for the highlands to collect Yarchagumba. “One can hardly find a youth in the village. All the working people left the village in the gold rush,” said Amrita Mahatara of Sakla-6. Three months starting mid-April is the season to harvest the half-plant-half-insect. “One can earn up to Rs 100,000 in a season,” said Mahendra Bahadur Shah of Nayakwada. One kg Yarchagumba fetches up to Rs 900,000 in local market.


Posted on: 2011-May-25