Nepal launches first-ever national survey of medicinal herbs

BANKE, March 17: Nepal has, for the first time, launched a nationwide survey to identify the actual status of medicinal herbs across the country.

The initiative aims to fill the gap in reliable data, despite the significant contribution of the herbal trade to Nepal’s economy.

The survey has begun in Himalayan districts with technical support from the Ministry of Forests and Environment Nepal, Forest Research and Training Centre Nepal, and Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB) Nepal.

The study is expected to provide accurate data on the availability of medicinal herbs in Nepal, how much can be sustainably harvested, and how they can be utilized effectively.

Experts say that the lack of sustainable conservation has begun to threaten the existence of valuable herbs. Herbal expert Dipesh Paudel said that although Nepal is believed to have abundant medicinal plants, the absence of precise data has made scientific study essential. “Only after knowing the actual quantity can plans be made on how much benefit can be derived annually,” he said, adding that the survey will support sustainable use of forest resources.

Currently, the survey is underway in 28 Himalayan districts, prioritizing 11 major herb species. These include jatamansi, kutki, setakchini, panchaule, sugandhawal, gucchi mushroom, yarsagumba, atis, satuwa, padamchal, and wild garlic. Stakeholders have raised concerns that wild garlic is nearing endangered status and requires urgent conservation efforts.

According to Ajit Kumar Karn, Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment in Karnali Province, the survey will, for the first time, clearly map herb stock in Himalayan regions. “Although small-scale studies have been conducted, this is the first comprehensive effort covering all areas at once,” he said.

He added that the data will help determine how much can be harvested and exported in the future.

The survey is being conducted using scientific methods across 1,172 plots, of which 239 have already been studied. Despite challenges posed by difficult terrain and high-altitude locations, the work is progressing steadily.

According to Dipraj Bhusal, a sustainable agriculture and bioresources expert at ANSAB, the survey is currently being carried out in areas above 3,000 meters, with a target to cover all regions above 2,000 meters. Around 20 to 25 percent of the work has been completed so far.

Although about 44 percent of Nepal’s land is covered by forests, the lack of accurate data on medicinal herbs has made policymaking difficult. The findings of this survey are expected to contribute significantly to five-year planning, sustainable harvesting policies, and improving livelihoods of communities dependent on herbs.

Stakeholders believe the initiative will prove to be a milestone in the conservation, management, and international promotion of Nepal’s medicinal herbs.