Cordyceps sinensis

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Cordyceps sinensis habitat

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Annapurna conservation area is rich in high valuable Medicinal and Aromatic plants (MAPs) out of them Cordyceps sinensis is one. The research entitle “Status, distribution, and Habitat preference of Yarsagumba (Cordyceps sinensis) and its contribution in local livelihoods in Manang district” was carried out in the two Kharkas of Manang and Tanki Manang VDC. Study was carried out by using direct field inventory and questionnaire survey methods.

Almost all VDCs of Manang districts harbor good quantity of Yarsagumba. The harvesting system is different in every VDC following the traditional harvesting system and collector must pay NRs 500 to NRs 5000 according to VDC rules for getting permit to collection of Cordyceps sinensis from the field. High quantity of Cordyceps sinensis were distributed throughout altitudinal range of 4500300m of the study area preferring NW and SW aspect of the study area with high number (density) of the Yarsagumba at an angle of the 460-650 slope of the surface. The minimum density of Cordyceps sinensis is per/hectors 920 to 1010 individual of Cordyceps sinensis occurs. Different soil nutrients of Cordyceps sinensis habitat were measured where PH was found 6.8 to 7.15 while carbon and organic matter contains 4.52% to 4.23% and 7.83 to 7.33 respectively and moisture contains in soil of its habitat was 27.4% to 31.9%.The main associated species is Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon) and Sunpati is a indicator for the presence of Cordyceps sinensis and relationship between Sunpati and Cordyceps sinensis was come out high the number of Sunpati that favor more the number Cordyceps sinensis. Weight of the individual dry Yarsagumba is 0.29 to 0.57 gm and an average one kg of dryYarsagumba contains 2913 number of Yarsagumba while the fresh weight of Yarsagumba contains 1503 number of individual Yarsagumba per kg. The overall vulnerability of Cordyceps sinensis to utilization in Manang and Tanki Manage VDC having a score of 33, indicating a High vulnerability. Reduction of the animal pressure, human pressure, fixed time for the collection and traditional rights of the collectors are recognized and a community-based natural resources management system is put in place, the total score could fall down.

Yarsagumba germination depend on the climate moisture contain in the soil, generally it started to germinate mid of Baisak (April/May). Set time of the Yarsagumba collection it should be 30 days, Best time for the collection is first week of Ashad to Mid Shawan (June/July).
Cordyceps sinensis is one of the most important Medicinal plants of Manang district which has great contribution in the local people of Manang district. From Seven VDCs of Manang district ( i.e. Manang, Tanki Manang, Pisang, Nar, Gyaru, Bhraka and Khansar VDC) collected 79.6 kg and 109.3 kg in fiscal year 2060 and 2061 respectively. These seven VDCs earned 113500 and 554500 NRs in fiscal year 2060 and 2061 respectively by permit fee. Total 227 and 416 people from these Seven VDCs were involved in the collection of Yarsagumba in the fiscal year 2060 and 2061 respectively and they earned average NRs 7544500 in fiscal year 2060 by selling total collected Cordyceps sinensis and average NRs 15190900 in fiscal year 2061 by selling total collected Cordyceps sinensis.