Snow ruins collection of 'Himalayan viagra'

PITHORAGARH: The heavy snowfall and showers this summer may have rained on the parade of collectors of keeda jadi, or Himalayan Viagra. The small caterpillar fungus that grows on high-altitude Himalayan meadows (above the height of 12,000 feet) in a small window (the last week of April to mid-June), is a highly sought-after aphrodisiac. According to collectors, the cost is currently around Rs 10-12 lakh per kg. Usually, the "bugyals" or hill valleys are lush green at this time of the year. This year, however, they are buried in 3-feet-deep snow,
Villagers from around half a dozen villages of Pithoragarh's Munsyari block, Milam, Bui Pato, Saipolo, Kvirijimiya, Kultham, Dhuratoli, who had set out to collect the herb from various valleys, have now returned.

Usually, villagers trek up to the valleys, set up tents and spend all day picking the herb. "The valleys are buried in snow, it would be impossible to look for the herb," said Sunder Koranga, a resident of Munsyari.

Vicky Chiral, a resident of Dharchula, said, "Over 3,000 families depend on keeda jadi for their livelihood. We plan to go back to collect it once the snow melts away but if that doesn't happen, we will incur a heavy loss. We hope the snow hasn't ruined the herb."