Quota system launched in Yarsagumba collection

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), in coordination with various stakeholders, has implemented a quota system for collecting Yarsagumba in order to prevent overharvesting of the herb which is used as an aphrodisiac.



Yarsagumba, the world’s most expensive medicinal fungus, is in serious decline in Nepal due to overharvesting. The herb can fetch as much as $100 per gram on the Chinese market, making it more expensive than gold, according to reports.
As per the new quota provision, only a limited number of people will be allowed to collect Yarsagumba in specified regions. According to reports, high prices and rising demand have set off a fungus gold rush in poverty-stricken rural communities in Nepal, but the impact on biodiversity and ecosystems has received little attention.

“If regulations are not introduced, overharvesting of these plants may destroy their habitats,” said Babulal Tiruwa, chief of ACAP Manang. Prospective herb collectors will need to obtain a special permit which can be received by submitting a copy of the citizenship certificate and a photograph. Authorities have allocated collection licences to 3,135 people in Manang. Yarsagumba is found in about 13 village development committees in the district, namely Chame, Namgekharka, Nar and Tachaibagarchap. Among them, Namgekharka has allowed the highest number of collectors numbering 665. In these villages, the rules are set by their respective regulation committee.
This year, only 380 persons in Nar, 650 in Manang, 600 in Tanki and 50 in Ghyaru will get permission to collect Yarsagumba. Manang attracts hopeful collectors from as far away as Rasuwa, Dhading, Nuwakot, Gorkha, Makwanpur and other districts.
The Yarsagumba collection season lasts from from mid-April to June. Last year, local authorities charged Rs40,000 as entry fee from collectors. The charge has decreased to around Rs20,000 this year.
In Fu and Nar villages, only locals of Manang are permitted to collect the fungus. Following the deaths of seven people of Gorkha in 2010, out-of-district collectors have been barred in Manang.
Security has also been tightened with police keeping collectors under constant surveillance, according to DSP Chitra Bahadur Gurung. 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Seven benefits of Yarsagumba

Image
Caterpillar fungus, which is known as Himalayan Viagra, is an herb that grows in the pastures between 3,300 meters and 4000 meters in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, Bhutan, India and Tibet. Known locally as the yarsagumba, this small herb  is an exceptional combination of a yellow caterpillar and a mushroom (fungus).  As temperature increases and the snow melts, yarsagumba emerges. During the rains, the herb is often swept away. Caterpillar fungus goes under the scientific name of Cordyceps Sinensis. Just prior to the rainy season, spores of cordyceps fungus infect Himalayan caterpillars that live on moist grass and hollow soil. Once buried inside the caterpillar’s body, the fungus works its way out through the insect’s head. The parasite gets the energy from the caterpillar and leaves it to die. The caterpillar fungus is a slim, brownish yellow, 2cm long plant that protrudes stem-like and sticks out of the earth. Depending on the size and quality, the caterpillar fung
Read more

What is Cordyceps Sinensis / Yarsagumba?

Image
Yarsagumba (Cordyceps) is one of the most unique, rare, and treasured plants used in herbal medicine. In its natural form, Cordyceps can be found only at elevations above 3500 meters in isolated areas of northern Dolpa, Nepal. This herb is actually a type of fungus which grows on the backs of caterpillars indigenous to Nepal, China and Tibet. Due to its rarity, Cordyceps harvested in the wild is very expensive. Wild cordyceps from Nepal is supposed to be the best in the world. Scientific research has proven that wild cordyceps is richer in certain components, and also that the proportions of its ingredients are different from the cultivated herb, and this might make some differences in the activity. However, the laboratory versions of Cordyceps has become an alternative for people who cannot afford Natural Cordyceps .
Read more

What is Yarsagumba? Its Uses, Importance, Per kg Price and Benefits

What is Yarsagumba? Yarsagumba is a unique fungus which grows on caterpillar. It is found in the high altitude areas of the Himalayas.  It is a parasitic relation of a fungus which grows on the larvae stage of many species of moth caterpillar .  Yarsagumba takes the nutrients for its own growth from caterpillar. The caterpillar becomes devoid of  its nutrients and in the process the caterpillar dies. T his is the reason that Yarsagumba is also called half caterpillar half fungus. In scientific terms it is known as  Ophiocordyceps sinensis .  Its unique life-cycle brought it names Yarchagumba, Yatsa gunbu, Yartsa gunba, Yatsagumbu and keeda jadi. In Tibet ‘Yatsa gunbu’  means ‘ Summer grass winter worm ‘.   The caterpillar fungus  is also called Himalayan Viagra. Where is Yarsagumba found? Yarsagumba is found in high altitude Himalayas of India, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan.  HowYarsagumba or Keeda Jadi Grows? The caterpillar larvae grow in the soil of sub alpine high pa
Read more