Title: Distribution, Harvesting and Trade of Yartsa Gunbu (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) in the Sikkim Himalaya, India
KeyWords: caterpillar fungus; commercialization, Ophicordyceps sinensis, Sikkim Himalaya, sustainability, yartsa gunbu, Distribution, Harvesting, Trade, Yartsa Gunbu, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, sikkim himalaya
Year of Publication: 2021
ISSN No: BioOne
Author Name: Bharat Kumar Pradhan, Ghanashyam Sharma, Bindhya Subba, Santosh Chettri, Arun Chettri, Dhani Raj Chettri, and Aditya Pradhan
Details:
Cordyceps has significantly improved the socioeconomic status of the mountain people in the Sikkim Himalaya, India, but an upsurge in demand and its price has resulted in overexploitation and degradation of the fragile alpine habitat in which it grows. This study aimed to shed light on the distribution, resource abundance, harvesting practices, commercialization, and trade of Cordyceps through household surveys and open-ended interviews with the collectors, sublocal and local traders, and local officials. Significant differences (p, 0.001) in average collection and income per household were observed. The income from Cordyceps ranged from US$ 0.03 to 0.23 million for the 3 villages studied. We conclude that there is a strong need to understand the market of Cordyceps and develop the value chain to regulate its price in Sikkim