After going to the forest to find Kutki, the village was abandoned

According to Angchuk Sherpa, Secretary of Community Forest Users Group, Kutki collection has been opened with a fee of 200 rupees per person. "The villagers have not been able to enter the forest for four or five years," he said, "We have opened the collection this year. But they are saying that kutki is not plentiful, there is no price either. Now the market price of kutki is only 100 rupees per kg, says Sherpa. Before the corona virus, the forest entrance fee was 300 rupees. Even after the corona infection, the locals were not able to collect because China did not open the border.

Locals say that it would be better to be able to sell the Kutki by taking it out. If you bring it home and keep it, the weight will be reduced by 50 percent. They say that selling it after losing weight is not beneficial. "Earlier, Chinese traders used to come to the forest to collect tips," said Nupu Sherpa of Olangchungola, "Well, they have not talked about bringing it this year."

Nupu said that people from all over the village went to collect in the hope that the Chinese would come and take them away. ``There are only old people in the village now, but there is confusion about how much money will come.'' Tiptala of Olangchungola connecting China Even though the Bhanjiang border has been opened, China has sent a message to the Nepalese not to come for a few days.

Herbs that can be found from 3500 to 5000 meters above sea level should be dug out from the ground. Locals say that good quality Kutki can be found in the area of ​​4,000 to 4500 meters. It was thought that there would be plenty if it was not collected for many years. But the diggers are saying that it is thin," said Secretary Sherpa. He also says that the villagers have entered the forest under the leadership of the chairman of the community forest.

The government of Nepal has placed kutki in the list of 30 important and researched herbs found in the Himalayan region. Chiraito, Yarsagumbu, Kutki and other herbs found in the Himalayan region are exported abroad for the manufacture of medicinal products.

Locals have been using kutki as a home remedy for colds, fevers and chills. Botanists said that they will study the usefulness of such herbs found in India, China, Bhutan and Pakistan along with Nepal. They said that they will collect samples in Khumbu area in 078 and study its spread, tissue culture and other issues.

Botanists have called it 'guerilla plant' because the plant that spreads in the ground can also spread outside the ground in a suitable place. Cheten Sherpa Bhote, the outgoing ward president of Paktanglung-7, said that after the opening of the border with China, a small amount of chiraito and some kutki were exported, but now they are not sold.

'There is no other source of income in the village, even if there is one or two paise, all the villagers have entered the forest,' said Cheten, 'One person can collect 10 to 15 kilos in a day.' It will not stop. Locals who carry Tripal and blankets stay for a long time if they find a good Kutki.

Secretary Angchuk says that he will only leave Tatkal for one month and open it again after the price increases. It can be collected till November. Foreign Cheten says that the locals will be empty even if they open at June due to the lack of tourists.