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Nature reflects our nature
COVID-19 Effect on
Yarsagumba
( Ophiocordyceps
sinensis )
Harvesting and Livelihoods Impact of
Himalayan
Communities
Ophiocordyceps sinensis , is known in English colloquially as caterpillar fungus , or by its more prominent names Yartsa gunbu , or Yarsha-gumba or Yarsha-gumba . High value with low volume Yarsagumba is one of an important source of income for communities in mountainous parts of Nepal . Yarsagumba has generated the highest amount of revenue among 62 Non Timber Forest Product ( NTFP ) species traded in Nepal . Collection is done from late spring to early summer ( mid of Jestha until the end of Aashar ) from Sub-alpine and alpine pastures in the mountainous regions . Yarsagumba has improved lives and livelihoods ofmountainous communities . Firstly , Yarsagumba harvesting has generated employment for people within the district and for those who come from nearby districts , as many of these local are hired by contractors . The contractors support their entry fee , logistics and field gears during the harvesting period . Secondly , individuals who come on their own , generate additional income to support household expenditures such as buying galvanized sheet to replace their mud roof . Thirdly , the income from harvesting acts as safety net during harsh winter period for almost three months of snowing in the mountainous areas . Lastly , some of the families are supported for an entire year with mere two months of engagement in this activity . A study conducted by National Trust for Nature Conservation ( NTNC ) in 2019 , revealed that Yarsagumba collection exceeds those of other traditional sources including agriculture and livestock rearing . In Rural Municipalities like Mudkechula of Dolpa , Guthichaur of Jumla , Yarsagumba collection contributes to around 65-70 % of the total source of income apart from agriculture , remittance and animal husbandry . Among the surveyed collectors , Yarsagumba collection alone contributed 70 % of the total household cash income and thus has become an integral part of local livelihoods for future saving to be invested in food and clothes during festivals like Dashain , and children ’ s education . Income from Yarsagumba accounted upto 68 % in Darchula district , whereas up to 72 % of the total income for poorest households in Dolpa ( Shrestha and Bawa , 2014 ). Thus , Yarsagumba harvesting is one of the key sources of income for poor mountain communities , where other livelihood opportunity is comparatively low ( Shrestha and Bawa , 2014 ).
In 2020 , Government of Nepal , taking the precaution against the spreading of COVID-19 imposed lockdown from 25th March 2020 , with the possibility of extension . With this decision , the harvest of Yarsagumba is seem to be severely affecting the ( i ) livelihoods of harvesters , ( ii ) export of Yarsagumba , and ( iii ) revenue generation to Government of Nepal . This brief case study uses secondary sources , personal communication and consultations to bring out the effect of COVID-19 on the lives and livelihoods of the Himalayan communities . However , this study does not reflect the trend of revenue generated by the Yarsa over the years from Himalayan districts , the gross revenue at the national level and its loss due to COVID-19 .
Every year , around 10,000 people gather from Dolpa and its adjoining districts Jumla , Jajarkot and Rukum in search of Yarsagumba to the alpine meadows of Shey Phoksundo National Park . Among these thousand harvesters is Seepa Singh Karki , a 35 year old resident of Raha ( 2 hrs walk from Suligad , the Park Headquarter ), Thulibheri Nagarpalika , Dolpa , who has been involved in Yarsagumba harvesting from the age of eighteen . With a day walk from his village , he spends almost a month at Sumse Patan
100 Year Book of Environmental Science