Price of Caterpillar Fungus / Yarsagumba - Himalayan Viagra ( Ophiocordyceps sinensis) Reached NRs 20,33,280 Per KG : What a Crazy!

I really wondered when I encountered with the news posted in www.nypost.com regarding Caterpillar Fungus (Yarsagumba or Yarchagunbu) price. New Yorkers are getting US$ 800 per ounce (35.3 Ounces = 1 Kilograms) for dried Yarsagumba. It means they are getting approx US$ 28240 or NRs 20,33,280 per kg. ( US$ 1 = NRs 72).What a crazy price and crazy fungus lovers!. This really forces me to think many times regarding Nepalese Yarsagumba, market scenario in Nepal and real benefits getting by the real collectors : Collectors from the remote highlands of Nepal.

In spite of being the main source of income for the rural mountain inhabitants ,Nepal Government, and many Research Organizations in Nepal are not paying clear attention for this Himalayan treasure or Yellow Living Gold. We are already late for the sustainable management of resource and market setup for the collected amounts. It would be really praiseworthy to take immediate actions for the further research, exploration and management of the Caterpillar Fungus of Nepal Himalaya. In this moment, I am missing Dolpa and Dolpali people very much, where I spend my two years of research days, looking from the basic things associated with the livelihoods and upto  making understanding on the ecological parameters associated with this fungus. I would be really pleased to provide any sorts of information from my own experience, sharing of research ideas, findings and publications from my side