Himalayan Viagra, costlier than gold, is in danger
Nicknamed 'Himalayan Viagra', an expensive caterpillar fungus, which is more valuable than gold, is becoming harder to find due to climate change, say researchers. A report in the 'Proceedings of the National Academy of Science' journal says Himalayan Viagra is "one of the world's most valuable biological commodities, providing a crucial source of income for hundreds of thousands of collectors." Here's more on it.
What is Himalayan Viagra and why is it so expensive?
The fungus "yarchagumba", or Ophiocordyceps sinensis, is called a wonder drug. Although it hasn't been scientifically proved, many believe having yarchagumba tea by boiling it in water or simply adding it to soups or stews can cure everything- from impotence to cancer. Recently, the fungus has skyrocketed in popularity. In Beijing, notably, its prices rose to up to thrice the price of gold.
Why is the caterpillar fungus getting scarce?
Though many researchers feel Himalayan Viagra has become scarce due to over-harvesting, they interviewed over 800 people in Nepal, Bhutan, India, and China to know more reasons for it. Weather patterns, geographic factors, and environmental conditions were also analyzed. "Using data spanning nearly two decades and four countries, (we) revealed that caterpillar fungus production is declining throughout much of its range," said the report.
What did the findings say?
Lead study author, Kelly Hopping, said the finding "is important because it calls attention to how highly valuable species, like caterpillar fungus, are susceptible not only to over-harvesting, as is often the focus but also to climate change." However, researchers couldn't tell which factor - over-harvesting or climate change - was mainly responsible for its scarcity. "Monitoring of fungus is very limited," added Hopping.
But, what role does climate play?
The cone-shaped fungus grows in a specific climate where the winter temperatures are below freezing but the soil isn't permanently frozen. Researchers had found that vegetation on the Tibetan plateau "did not shift upward due to climate warming from 2000 to 2014," which means the caterpillar fungus would not be able to move up the mountain to colder habitats as the climate becomes warmer.
The scarcity of the fungus is a problem for harvesters
"Communities throughout the Himalayan region have become very financially dependent on collecting and selling caterpillar fungus," said Hopping, adding that the scarcity will cause trouble for the harvesters who sell the fungus to survive. "That decreasing availability of this fungus will be devastating to local economies, and that these communities need other viable livelihood options," she said.
