Digging Caterpillar Fungus | Tencent “Living”
Bo Gaopeng—Tencent “Living” Channel
Every year between May and June, villagers in a Tibetan region in Sichuan province head into the mountains, at altitudes above 4,600 meters, in search of yarsagumba, or caterpillar fungus, a half-fungus, half-insect plant known in China for its health benefits. Because the plants are rare and difficulty to collect, its market price can rise to as high as U.S.$50,000 per pound. For many Tibetan families, yarsagumba is a major, and sometimes the only, source of income. Yarsagumba harvesting has fallen into a vicious circle; the rarer they become the more expensive they get.
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Every year between May and June, villagers in a Tibetan region in Sichuan province head into the mountains, at altitudes above 4,600 meters, in search of yarsagumba, or caterpillar fungus, a half-fungus, half-insect plant known in China for its health benefits. Because the plants are rare and difficulty to collect, its market price can rise to as high as U.S.$50,000 per pound. For many Tibetan families, yarsagumba is a major, and sometimes the only, source of income. Yarsagumba harvesting has fallen into a vicious circle; the rarer they become the more expensive they get.