The himalayan viagara
The world's costliest fungus is known as the Himalayan viagara. It cost around 20 lakh rupees per kilogram. But now it has been listed on the IUCN's red list.
It is a parasite that is known by the scientific name of-Ophiocordycepssinensis. This parasite makes the caterpillar its host and kills it by growing out from its body.
Fungus grew out of the caterpillar.
This fungus is prevalent as it is highly aphrodisiac and very less occurring. In India, this fungus is sold in the name of Shilajit. Chinese people use it in the name of Chinese Caterpillar fungus.
This fungus kills the caterpillar, which lives inside the soil. Then slowly, this fungus takes up the caterpillar as its host.
This fungus is found in the Himalayan regions at an altitude of more than 3000 to 5000 meters. It is mostly found in regions of Uttarakhand, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, amd China. In ancient times it was mostly used by the Chinese people. India started its trade-in 2002, but by that time, its growth had declined because of overexploitation.
Locals searching the cordyceps
India is its largest producer, and this fungus cannot be grown in the laboratory. This is because it can grow only at higher altitudes of 3000 to 5000 meters. Also, there are specific climatic conditions required for its growth. Like the area should be covered with snow during winter so that it can sprout during summer.
Its collection is done by local people who live near these areas. During summer, they invade the place with their family members and spread out through out the place. The fungus does not grow in large numbers and is very small to be noticed if not stable. So to collect only a few grams of this fungus, it takes hours amd support.
Family involved in fungus collection
It is then dried after collection and then sold through agents. It Is illegal to sell this fungus and, so the help of agents is taken. India makes its trade through Nepal.
People who collect this from ground level earn approximately 10 lakh rupees per kilogram. But as this fungus-infected caterpillar reaches over distances like China or Southeast Asian countries, the price is doubled, that is, 20 lakh rupees per kilogram. Because of its highly profitable rate, farmers and traders prefer to choose this business rather than spending one entire year in farming and getting less profit.
The main reason for this Himalayan viagara to be so costly is that it grows rarely. Even in its habitat, it is found very less in number. There are times when family members spend the entire day searching the grasses but finds almost nothing. This reason makes this product very, very costly. After processing, this fungus is packed and sold into the market with different names as an aphrodisiac.
This cordyceps is even available on some of the standard websites and popular companies platforms, like Amazon. They sell it at the cost of 1800 rupees per gram with a green sign on their website.
But, the main popularity was gained by this fungus during the 2000 Sydney Olympics when few Chinese athletes were suspended after suspicion of consuming, thus aphrodisiac. They told us that they were unaware of the fungus' reality and used it as soup. This led to the growth in its popularism and, at the same time, its cost too.
Dried viagara
To collect these cordyceps children during their vacations are taken with parents. It takes them hours to collect only a few pieces. It is completely illegal to trade this cordyceps. That is why people do it quietly and charge a lot for their hard work and for the time spent by their families. But with increasing competition, the habitat is being destroyed, and this cirdysep reaches its extinction.
The IUCN has listed this species in its red list. Tibet has already lost this species. The government of both countries has tried to stop the exploitation together, but it could not apply authorities in those areas because of the harsh climatic condition.
As of now, the trade of Himalayan Viagara is still going on and has maintained its top rank among the world's costliest fungus.
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