Gandaki. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has earned Rs 57.77 million in the last fiscal year through the use of local resources including medicinal herbs.

The amount was collected through 57 Conservation Area Management Committees in ACAP. Project chief Dr Rabin Kadariya said the revenue generated from the collection and use of medicinal herbs, timber and timber is spent in conservation activities and development works at the local level.

According to him, Rs 39 million was collected from the local use of natural resources in the fiscal year 2080/81. He said that his income has increased by about two crore rupees in the last year. “The Conservation Area Management Committee collects the amount for the use of medicinal herbs, wood, stones and pebbles,” said Dr Kadariya, chief of the project, adding, “The collected amount is spent by the management committee through an annual programme and plan.” ’

Precious herbs including Yarsagumba are collected and exported in Annapurna Conservation Area. Medicinal herbs have contributed significantly to the income of the locals. ACAP has been conducting awareness campaign on the utilization of natural resources and conservation, said Dr Kadariya, chief of the project. According to him, the income collected from tourist entry fee is being spent in conservation activities and tourism promotion programmes.

ACAP has been involved in trekking route, waste management, micro irrigation, construction of drinking water projects, income generation, conservation and education. Millions of rupees are collected annually from the entry fee of foreign tourists visiting this region. The fee paid by the tourists visiting the prohibited areas within ACAP with permission also contributes to the state exchequer.

In the last fiscal year, tourists entering Upper Mustang and Nar Phu area of Manang had collected Rs 30 crore 17 lakh 52 thousand as entry fee. The government has declared the areas adjoining the Tibetan border as prohibited zones.

Foreign tourists should take permission to visit these areas. Most of the tourists go for trekking in the Annapurna Conservation Area in Upper Mustang and Nar Phu area of Manang.