Bhojpur, June 12 -- For three decades, Ashok Karki's family has tended to the towering Elaeocarpus ganitrus or Rudraksha trees that define the landscape of the Makalu Himalayan region. Once a product sold primarily to Hindu pilgrims in India, the Rudraksha has become a high-stakes commodity, driving a massive economic shift in Eastern Nepal.

However, this newfound prosperity comes with a troubling cost: the heavy use of unregulated chemicals to meet the aesthetic demands of the Chinese market.

For generations, Rudraksha seeds were valued for their spiritual significance, particularly among Hindus who consider them symbols of Lord Shiva. In recent years, however, a surge in demand from Chinese buyers, who prioritise the seeds as ornament...