Myagdi, June 2 -- A sharp decline in traditional grazing practices is fuelling the rapid spread of invasive plants in Myagdi's forests, causing a dramatic drop in the production of valuable medicinal herbs. This had led to falling herb yields, shrinking incomes, and reduced government revenue.

According to the Division Forest Office in Myagdi, data from the past five years show a continuous decline in the collection and export of precious medicinal herbs like yarsagumba, satuwa, nirmasi, and vishjara. The primary cause, experts say, is the abandonment of traditional grazing practices that once helped maintain forest biodiversity and controlled invasive plant species.

"Since people have stopped taking livestock to the highland pastures, ...