Caterpillar fungus gold rush: Growing dependence on a lucrative trade with disputes among communities in the Himalaya

Abstract

Caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis)is a flagship species of the Himalaya and is one of the world's most expensive natural medicinal resources. In the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and Dharchula–Munsiyari landscape of the western Himalaya, it inhabits ioslated patches of alpine grasslands (elevation from 3,000 to 4,500 masl) of Mana, Niti, Rishi, Pindar, Gori, Dhramganga and Kali Valleys. Although there was a steady increase both in price and demand of the resource, overall harvest at the local level was decreasing and the number of harvesters were increasing every year. With the gradual increases in the market value of O. sinensis, the dependency of local communities was becoming more prominent on the income generated through its collection, whose livelihoods were earlier based on pastoral and agricultural activities. Caterpillar fungus played a significant role in the economy of communities who were living in the region. Thus, the caterpillar fungus harvest-boom was facilitating the integration of rural upper Himalayan households into regional, national and international economic cycles by providing the necessary product and cash in exchange for sharing in this commodity trade. There was a drastic growth in the economy empowerment of villagers and in contrast the growing dependence of the local community on this remarkable gold rush had promoted violent confrontation among harvesters.