(A) Male adult moth; (B) Female adult moth; © Late-instar larva; (D) Pupa. Cannon et al., 2009.
But collecting these fungi before they mature prevents dispersal of their spores, and the availability of yarsagumba is declining yearly. From a 2009 peak to 2011, the trade fell by half per annum. Due to a lack of proper regulation, over-harvesting is increasingly common.
The draft proposal has also suggested a formula for sharing of the revenue from marketing of the medicinal herb on the basis of 25:75 to the forest department and JFMCS, the sources said.
It may be mentioned that the valued medicinal herb is found in vast forest areas in East, West and North districts of Sikkim at places like Green Lake, Dzongri, Thamjey, Nathu La pass, Doman Valley, Tholung pass, among others, located above 8,000 feet under the jurisdiction of the forest department.
Scientific American reports that the fungus is generally boiled to be consumed in tea or soup, and for centuries has been believed to increase libido and even cure cancer by practioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Kamaljit Bawa, lead author on the study, writes that the supplement has become extremely popular and pegs its "global market at betwen $5 billion and $11 billion per year."
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