Chiraito plantation flourishes in Barpak hills post-earthquake

GORKHA, Sept 18: The catastrophic, magnitude 7.8 earthquake of April 25 has caused cracks in many areas of the epicenter, Barpak VDC of Gorkha district.

Water sources are rapidly drying up and water woes are hitting the locals hard. Realizing the possibility of crisis in the future, locals have jumped into action to strengthen the precarious landscape and conserve its water sources by cultivating Chiraito (Swertia) plants.

Chiraito saplings are being planted in farms, naked hills and forests by Barpak locals. The plant is also a vulnerable breed of medicinal herb, and hence can also be used for commercial purpose in addition to strengthening land and conserving water sources.

Plantation of Chiraito in Barpak began in 2013, covering one hector area at that time. Now the plants cover eight hectors of land in less than two years. Around 275,000 Chiraito have already been planted in Barpak, informed Uttam BK, chairman of the Ragar Community Forest.

"Chiraito has been chosen for plantation in Barpak because the environment is suitable for it to flourish," said BK. "As many as 130,000 Chiraito have been planted in open spaces of forests in the last week alone. This is the highest number of plantation done under the government's project," he added.

Commercialization of Chiraito has already started in four hectors of forest areas of Ward No 4, 5 and 9 of Barpak after the devastating earthquake that killed over 8,000 people throughout the country. Preparations are underway to plant 100,000 more Chiraito plants in the Ragar Community Forest. The plants are being provided free of costs by the District Land Conservation Office.

In just over two years since the first plantation in 2013, the Ragar Community Forest had produced Chiraito worth Rs 60,000 and three kilograms of seeds. The products were kept at the house of Jeet Bahadur Gale, a member of the consumer committee of the Ragar Community Forest. However, all of the valuable parts were destroyed when his house collapsed during the devastating earthquake, according to locals.

"We were planning to sell it in the markets of Nepalgunj, Tibet and India," said Gale. "One kilo of Chiraito herb fetches Rs 450 to Rs 500," he informed. The plant becomes ready for sale after two years of its plantation. Among the nine species of Chiraito, locals claim that the ones planted in Barpak are of superior quality.

The community forest plans to provide 35% of the total income from Chiraito farming to its underprivileged Dalit members and spend the rest in community services, according to the chairman BK.

The medicinal plant is cultivated in upper hilly regions above 1,200 meters to 3,999 meters from sea level, where the climate is colder to match its habitat needs. The herb is very useful for curing fever, rashes, lack of appetite among others.