6 june, Jajarkot- Eight persons leaving their villages for picking yarsagumba, a precious herb, have lost their lives in Dolpa in the past two weeks. Altitude sickness claimed six while two fell off the cliff. Those losing lives are from Jajarkot, Rukum, Jumla and Dolpa districts.
Gopal Bista, 17, from Patarasi rural municipality-6 of Jumla suffered altitude sickness on the way to Dolpa highland. Jaykrishna Pande, 44, from Gothichaur rural municipality-4 of Jumla fell off a cliff. Buddhi Kumari Karki, 38, from Thulibheri municipality-11 of Dolpa also died, falling off a cliff.
Ramesh Chalaune, 22, and Krishna BK, 18, from Barekot rural municipality of Jajarkot; Krishna Bahadur Shahi, 39, from Athbiskot municipality of Rukum West; and Dhalakala Budha, 40, from Thulibheri municipality of Dolpa died of altitude sickness. Even a new born belonging to Kanchhi BK from Kaike rural municipality died of chilling cold, said the District Police Office.
As the highland meadows are far from district headquarters, Dunai, it is difficult to get information about yarsa pickers on time. Although health camps are set up at various nine places in view of the health condition of the people picking the precious herb, the number of those losing life is growing. More than a dozen falling sick have been receiving treatment. There are more than 70 highland meadows opened for yarsa picking in Dolpa. (RSS)
