Dolpa, May 6 -- Authorities in Dolpa have decided to open high-altitude pastures for yarsagumba collection for one month starting May 24.

A meeting of stakeholders and political representatives held in the district headquarters, Dunai, on Tuesday, agreed to allow harvesting across all designated pastures. The meeting also endorsed a 12-point plan to regulate collection and improve management, said Bigyan Sen, acting chief of Shey Phoksundo National Park.

The park has introduced three categories of entry permits. Fees have been set at Rs500 for residents of buffer zones, Rs2,000 for Dolpa district residents, and Rs3,000 for outsiders.

To curb illegal early harvesting, authorities said security personnel, including Nepal Police and park ...