Athletes have used it as a performance enhancing drug. Though it has started to transform local economies, some of those harvesting it are now having to arm themselves to protect what has become a valuable crop.


People in north India call it kira jari. In neighbouring Tibet, it is called yarsagumba. The fungus is also being used as aphrodisiac in some parts of China.

 



The fungus attacks caterpillars in the Himalyas. It mummifies its prey and then grows out of the top of the dead caterpillar's head. The fungus appears on ground when snow starts melting.


Kira jari has become the source of income for the villagers in Indian Himalyas. During the last five years they have started collecting the it and then selling it to the local traders. These traders make huge profits by selling them to the business people in Delhi. The fungus then travels to Nepal and China.

 


A single fungus is sold for about 150 rupees in village, which is more than the daily wage of a manual labour. Some are able to collect 40-50 fungus in one day.

Collection is not easy

But there is a dark side if this fungus collection too. People have to struggle hard in order to gather it. They search for them in caves and have to stay there for several days. While some are successful in finding it, some people have to return empty handed.





Villagers often return to the village with snow-blindness, painful joints, and problems breathing. One person died recently as a result of the altitude.

Selling is illegal

Moreover, fungi have fed the hostility of the villagers. On the other hand, the government has given the permission to collect it but nobody is legally permitted to sell due to which kira jari has bacome a part of black  market.

 

People are stealthily selling it in the markets. India's home-grown version of Viagra has become a decent gamble.