Dolpa high-altitude herbs serve as a primary income source

High-altitude pastures in the upper region of Dolpa yield valuable wild herbs that serve as an essential income source for local inhabitants. Residents gather these mountain plants each season to support their households, as agricultural output remains restricted in the elevated terrain. Despite the significant market potential associated with these harvested plants, residents point out that the financial gains fail to stay adequately within the community. Local feedback indicates that establishing processing plants and storage facilities directly in the area would maintain product quality and improve returns for collectors. According to Jayakrishna Hamal, communities need to combine plant conservation, sustainable harvesting practices, and commercial management together to protect the resources. Improving transportation networks and providing collectors with accurate market price information would further ensure that earnings properly reach the local population, allowing residents to benefit more fully from the seasonal herb gathering across the mountain pastures.