Resource Assessment and Marketing of Caterpillar Fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) in the Buffer Zone of Makalu Barun National Park, Nepal

Abstract

Yarsagumba (Ophiocordycecps sinensis) is one of the highly expensive and potential medicinal mushrooms in the world. Owing to the herb's high efficacy and potency in curing various diseases, it is well known as an important nourishing tonic. The study has attempted to gather the information regarding Yarsagumba, its associated species, various medicinal uses, and marketing channel. Out of 15 plots, only 3 plots were recorded the Yarsagumba with the frequency of 0.2 which was very low compared to other medicinal plants. We randomly recorded the Yarsagumba with Mean and Variance ration of 0.04 with a density of 833 (No)/ha equal to 0.5 kg/ha in the effective area. There was an imbalance between the population of moths and spores of Caterpillar fungus. There were increasing trends of Cordyceps sinensis market, heavily depended on Chinese buyers. The Chinese companies send agents to collect Yarsagumba directly from the fields. And they pay US$ 10/piece to villagers (according to the latest field study, June 2018). China is the largest producer of Yarsagumba and meets 95 per cent of the world demand. Nepal is the second largest supplier of the fungus. Expansion of marketing channel is essential for getting more benefits focusing on local Yarsagumba`s collectors. It was observed that only 14.51 percent of men were participated to collect the Yarsagumba because the majority of men migrated to India and overseas for searching the jobs. Therefore, women would play a vital role in the sustainable harvesting of Yarsagumba. Different pharmacological actions such as antiasthma, antineoplastic, antibacterial as well as actions on the heart and blood vessels, and on the smooth muscles of the intestine and uterus have been reported. Government of Nepal should prepare a national Yarsagumba management policy and local Yarsagumba management guidelines to address conflicts by clearly defining the roles, responsibilities and rights of local institutions and actors. The Makalu Barun National Park should also prepare the separate management plan for sustainable harvesting so that local people would enhance their income, and the government would also increase income through royalties.