Himalayan Life giving Herb ‘Yarshagumba’

Anupama Rajya Shahi

Nepal is a small country but full of surprises with exceptionally abundant natural resources and dynamically rich culture.

Geographically, Nepal is distributed into the Himalayan region, which acquires incredibly tall, snowy mountains; the Hilly region that offers pleasing green hills and the low hot tropical lands of ‘Terai’ called the granary of Nepal. Amidst, all the rich biodiversity and breathtaking views, Nepal has more to offer. ‘The Yarshagumba’, a significant herb found in the Himalayas which has become the major financial source of livelihood to the people living in that area. Globally, it is discovered in some definite mountainous terrain of the Tibetan plateau and the Southern hills of snow breed land of Nepal, China and India including the high mountain waves of Bhutan.

Yarshagumba, Yarsha, Caterpillar Fungus or Mushroom scientifically named as Cordyceps sinesis, manifests a unique character as half year plant and half year insect. It is considered to be a precious herb found in the altitude of 3500m- 6000m within 24 districts in Nepal including Dolpa, Darchula, Rukum, Jumla, Humla. It is considered to be ‘whole food’ as it consists of 35 amino acids having anti-cancer, anti-ageing property that boosts immunity, increases virility, accelerates metabolism to fight against the viral diseases, also helps to cure piles. So,they are used in medicines and in cosmetics. Moreover, Gymnasts, body builders and athletes have been taking it for quite a long time.

The growing demand has pushed many people into fungus harvesting. Millions of inhabitants of the Himalayan region depends on the Yarshagumba collection and trade. In real, it has become the essential need of life for residents of the mountains.Therefore, difficulty in harvesting and fulfilling the demands of people as it has a huge international market.

Yarshagumba is called Caterpillar Fungus because in the winter, the caterpillar is found which gets infected with a parasitic fungus called Ophicordyceps sinesis. The fungus takes control over caterpillar’s brain and forces it to crawl up towards the surface of the soil. By summertime around April or May, the worm slowly dies, then the parasite develops out of the caterpillar head and appears at the surface. The fungus brust out of the soil and sends out spores which then infect other caterpillars continuing life cycle.When people see it pop out of the ground, they pick it up. Such valuable Yarshagumba are produced over 3500 kgs in Nepal , shown by different researches that surely make difference in the country’s economy.

Most of the high quality Yarshagumba are found in Dolpa, Jumla, Rukumat the Booki Patan area. ‘Booki, the awaited dream for years, the difficulties, the freezing cold winter, and the warmth joy of Yarshagumba. In Jumla, the whole villagers of Gothichaur VDC and Patarashi VDC have geared up to pick Yarshagumba at Booki Patan along with food, family and their pets.For more than 2 months the homes and villages are quite and closed, heading to difficult roads in the search of hope. During this period, people lose their lives, children die due to extreme cold weather, but still they manages to go to Booki, because their lives depends on Yarshagumba. All the villagers have been to Booki in search of the precious mushrooms because it covers all the annual expenses. At Booki, people search the mushrooms, some manage tents for staying and some cook the meals. It looks as if the 10,000 people present in the Booki have disappeared’ says Mr.Buland Kumar Shahi, Yarsha’s Trader. As the people crawl on the ground, they get vanished and start extracting it with the help of shovel.

After collecting and selling them,what next for living? People are also in doubt. Over harvesting and over exploitation have led to the classification of O. Sinensis as an endangered species in Nepal. Additional research needs to be carried out in order to understand its morphology and growth habits for conservation and optimum utilization. Furthermore, Yarsha is a multipurpose herb which plays significant role in the country’s economy, so the government need to focus on commercial production.

The country should forward and able to streamline Yarsha and local bodies should be aware of its existence which may enable culture tourism in Nepal.

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