Forest department sleuths Thursday claimed to have foiled a possible smuggling bid by recovering a rare medicinal herb worth Rs 5.5 lakh in Bhadarwah.
Giving details the official said, acting on a specificinput, sleuths of territorial forest department launched an operation on inter-stateBhadarwah-Chamba road, connecting Doda with neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.
The sleuths recovered 650 kg of “Zakhm-e-hayat” (Bergeniaciliata) worth Rs 5.50 lakh which they found packed in 24 gunny bags, whichwere hidden in the bushes at Bhaderwahi Goth on interstate border, about 51 kmfrom here, said DFO Bhadarwah, Chander Shekhar.
It is believed that the herb was concealed in the bushes soas to smuggle it to the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.
On 30 June, 500 kg of the same herb was seized from the samearea while it was being smuggled to Chamba town.
The rare herb is found at the altitude of 2,500 to 3,800meter in Himalayan region. Its root is believed to be used to treat kidneystones and renal failure, vertigo and headache, the official said.
The plant is reportedly in high demand in China and Nepal.