KATHMANDU: Four individuals have been arrested on charges of illegally harvesting Yarsagumba in Terhathum district.

The suspects were apprehended for foraging the valuable herb without obtaining the required permission from Myanglung Municipality.

According to the police, the arrested individuals have been identified as Jiban Limbu, Karna Bahadur Limbu, Badal Limbu, and Harka Bahadur Shrestha, all residents of Madi Municipality–9 in Sankhuwasabha.

Inspector Rajababu Thakur, the Information Officer at the District Police Office, stated that police recovered 13 pieces of Yarsagumba and seized nine motorcycles from their possession.

A police team was deployed on Tuesday following tips that a group of 20 to 25 people were illegally harvesting Yarsagumba in the Bhusine-Jiptare Community Forest area located in Myanglung Municipality–6. The four suspects were caught with the Yarsagumba at the spot where they had parked their motorcycles. They have been handed over to the Division Forest Office for further legal action, Inspector Thakur added.

Forest Officer Badri Prasad Shah stated that yarsagumba collection is only allowed after paying the required government revenue. He added that illegal collection can result in a fine of Rs. 31,000 per kilogram, as well as additional penalties.

Information Officer Sunny Jha of the Division Forest Office said that the office collects around Rs. 3 million annually from exports, along with Rs. 40–50 million from timber-related forest products.