New Delhi: A herb found in the inaccessible areas of the Himalayas has now become a fading species. Fungus Ophiocordyceps Sinensis, known as 'Himalayan Viagra', has a market price of up to 20 lakh rupees/kg. It has been put on the Red List of Endangered Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In this list released on July 9, this herb has been described as being in great danger, which is at the mouth of the world.
This fungus named 'Himalayan Viagra' is used to increase sexual arousal. This herb is sold in the local market at a rate of about 10 lakh rupees per kg. It is in great demand in China, and in the international market, its price reaches Rs 20 lakh. IUCN says that the area of this herb has reduced by 30 percent in the last 15 years. This herb, which looks like a caterpillar, is famous in Uttarakhand as the 'worm herd'. This herb is found in the Himalayas and Tibetan plateaus in India, Nepal, China and Bhutan. In India, it is found in Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand.
According to the TOI report, Indian Representative of IUCN Vivek Saxena said that "The purpose of putting fungus in the Red List is to ensure that government policies of its conservation are implemented so that it remains in the forest. Its entry in the Red List of IUCN will affect thousands of people in many villages who live their livelihood through this herb. According to the Red List of IUCN, 32,441 species out of a total of 1,20,372 are on the verge of extinction.
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