Some 30 people have died jumping off the glacial mountains in Myanmar’s northernmost region of Putao while looking for medicinal herbs over the past two years, according to local herb finders and aid organizations.

Local sources say such deadly accidents have come after the price of a medicinal herb locally called Baychi increased from 200,000 kyats in 2021 to about 1 million kyats this year.

A local herb seeker, U Ran Htee, said: “In the past years, the price was just 40,000 kyats per viss (about 1.6 kg). It was Ks200,000 last year. About 20 people died in the previous year. They had to find the herb in various dangerous areas such as valleys, mountain tops and steep cliffs. This kind of herb is very rare to find. We have heard about seven have died this year. Even professional mountaineers cannot survive if they jump off. The have also been many cases of bone cracks. A person can get a maximum of 2 viss.” 

Baychi herb is usually grown at an altitude of over 8,000 feet, it is a good demand with a good price in China. The price is now about Ks700,000 to Ks1 million.

According to local sources, nearly 30 people have died over the past two years including pregnant women. Most climbers do not usually wear protective equipment.

Putao District has six townships with a population of 91,257, according to the 2014 national census.