Overharvesting turns ‘Himalayan viagra’ into a ‘vulnerable’ species

sfg-2026
ForumIAS LATEST
  1. 31 May |Post Prelims Meet with Ayush Sir | Offline Session to discuss the Post-Prelims agenda | ForumIAS Click Here to register for the event →
  2. 02 June |Open Session - The PSIR Mark Improvement by Aman Aloon (AIR 295, UPSC CSE 2025)|Click Here to register for the event →
  3. 04 June | Open Orientation for GSAP 2026| Click Here to register →
  4. 06 June | Open Orientation on Essay Guidance Program (EGP 2026) Click Here to register →
  5. 07 June | Open Orientation for Current Affairs for Mains 2026 Click Here to register →

News: The world’s costliest fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis also known as Himalayan Viagra has entered the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s(IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Facts:

  • Ophiocordyceps sinensis: It is a caterpillar fungus endemic to the Himalayan and Tibetan plateau and found in China, Bhutan, Nepal and India. 
    • In India, it is primarily found in Uttarakhand in the higher reaches of districts ke Pithoragarh and Chamoli.
  • Other Names: It is locally known as Kira Jari (in India), Yartsagunbu (in Tibet) and Yarsagumba (in Nepal).
  • Significance: It is used as a tonic and a therapeutic medicine in Tibet and China.In recent times, it has also been widely traded as an aphrodisiac.
  • Conservation Status: It has been listed under the ‘vulnerable category’ as per IUCN Red List.
Print Friendly and PDF
Blog
Academy
Community