Leaving behind the buzz of city life in Kathmandu, KB Gurung quit his job as a government official in the department of agriculture and opted to forge a business growing herbs in Damauli, Tanahu.

The Agricultural Science graduate who studied in Kanpur, India under the Colombo Plan, was determined to cultivate and preserve the endangered herbs of Nepal, and has managed to turn that ambition into gold.

He has grown more than 150 species of herbs on his 15 hectares of land in Patan, Tanahu. The sales of red sandalwood and ginseng, among others is known to bring him hefty profits.

Now, following studies in China, Gurung is planning to start cultivating bamboos that can be used to manufacture photocopy paper. 'Abundant agro forestry could be a major source of income for Nepal,' said the 70 year old Gurung.