Herbs rot and traders reap profit as processing facilities remain unused and fall into disrepair

Lack of storage and processing facilities has left herb collectors in Karnali at the mercy of exploitative traders, who offer low prices.

Construction of a herb collection and processing centre began at Kakrebihar in ward 9 of Birendranagar Municipality of Surkhet in 2011. The Surkhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry initiated the project under a public-private partnership, investing nearly Rs40 million in infrastructure including buildings. Despite the significant investment, the facility remains unused and is falling into disrepair.