Bajghang, April 15 -- The district authorities in Bajhang have imposed a ban on the collection of yarshagumba (Cordyceps synensis) this season because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

On Friday, a meeting of the Covid-19 Crisis Management held in the chairmanship of Umesh Pandey, chief district officer of Bajhang, decided to prohibit yarshagumba collection until further notice.

"We have been informed that yarsha collectors have been visiting their respective local units to take permission for yarshagumba collection. During the ongoing pandemic, such activities will put human health at high risk. So, we have decided to ban yarsha collection this season," said Pandey.

Yarshagumba, the caterpillar fungus, is harvested before the monsoon...