Cordyceps or the caterpillar fungus, which grows in high Himalayan areas, will soon become extinct and its over-harvesting is damaging the high altitude ecology.

This has been highlighted by Darjeeling-based environment activist Umesh Dwivedi in a recently published paper titled “Yarsa Gumba-the  Himalayan Viagra”. “The insatiable demand of Cordyceps in the international market is damaging the ecology of the high altitude regions where it grows. It is being over -harvested to supply and meet the demands of the international market. It fetches $100 per gram in the international market which makes it more valuable than gold,” says Dwivedi.

According to one estimate, the global market of caterpillar fungus ranges from $5 billion to $11 billion per year. Dwivedi writes that if corrective measures are not taken this herb may be completely wiped out. Bemni Village in the high Himalayas discovered this fungus in 2007 and there was abundant supply during the first couple of years, but now the supply has gone down. If the exploitation goes on at the present rate there will be nothing left. The villagers are also damaging the ecology by collecting it premature before the formation of the spores (seeds) and preventing its further growth.

Cordyceps is a fungus which grows at high altitude and parasitises on high altitude Caterpillar larva commonly called the Ghost Moth larva (Hepialus Armoricanus).  The Spores (Seeds) of Cordyceps infect the ghost moth larvae which germinates inside the caterpillar and ultimately consumes it and finally the Cordyceps erupts out from the head of the caterpillar. It is about 2 inches long and weighs less than 1 gram.

The caterpillar fungus is a traditional Chinese medicine which has been widely used as a tonic and medicine for hundreds of years. The Chinese put this fungus in lukewarm water and sip the water the whole day. It is believed that it stimulates and acts as an energy booster, strengthens and rejuvenates the body. It is also an ingredient of soups and also eaten directly. The Chinese also cook it with pork, chicken and duck meat. It is believed to be a life saver and useful in the following ways –

• It stimulates immune system by raising T cells and natural killer cells and prolonging the life of WBCs.
•  It builds muscles.
• It cures sexual dysfunctions. It boosts testosterone level and promotes reproductive capabilities.
•  It controls blood sugar in diabetic patients and lowers cholesterol and HDl.
• It improves kidney functions and cures kidney ailments.
• Detoxifies the body.
•  It has anti-ageing, anti-fatigue, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties.
•  It cures Hepatitis B by improving serum gamma globular levels.
•  It reduces Asthma symptoms.
• It cures cancer.
•  It improves oxygen utilization in the body.

However, there are not sufficient scientific evidences to prove these health benefits. Proper scientific studies are needed to establish the health benefits and effectiveness of this herb.

The collection of caterpillar fungus from high altitude protected areas is difficult and risky. The villagers set up camps at high altitude for harvesting and the number of camps and the number of harvesters are increasing every year In the Himalayan villages where it grows abundantly.  Dwivedi says villagers are fighting over access to areas where the fungus grows abundantly.                                                                          

The Caterpillar Fungus Scientifically called Cordyceps sinensis grows in Indian Himalaya at an altitude of 3,000 meters to 5,000 meters. It also grows in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and part of China. It was first discovered by herdsman in Tibet who noticed that their yaks became energised when they grazed on Cordyceps

The collectors face risk at 16, 000 ft which also include the risk of snow blindness and altitude sickness, but they take them because of high returns.

Dwivedi says that if corrective measures are not taken this herb may be completely extinct. The villagers are also damaging the ecology by collecting it premature before the formation of the spores (seeds) and preventing its further growth. Its diminishing population may cause the boom in ghost moth population which will disturb the delicate balance and ecology of high attitude regions of the Himalayas. The fungus regulates the ghost moth population by biological control.

“In recent times the demand for caterpillar fungus has gone up many-fold due to publicity it received internationally. We need to protect this life saver from becoming extinct. We need to set up nature reserves at high altitudes to protect the soil, the fungus and the ghost moth. We also need to develop scientific cultivation of the fungus so that it can be economically and scientifically exploited for the benefit of the hill folks. It has great income and employment generation potential and can transform the high altitude economy,” he wrote.