Highlanders from Wangdue Phodrang, Haa, and Bumthang dzongkhags requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests to formulate a concrete law to address the issue of territorial disputes among the Cordecep collectors. This was put up during a consultative meeting in Thimphu yesterday.
The highlanders said people from all parts of the country visit their Cordycep grown areas which they depend for their livelihoods.
“Cordyceps are grown in different places with different timings of growing stage. However, without adequate security personnel, people from elsewhere enter our territory,” said one of the highlanders from Saephu Gewog in Wangdue Phodrang, Sithup. “So we when go to guard our territory, we hire people to look after our houses. Sometimes our food kept in caves is stolen and when we approach concerned officials, there is no distinct law to deal with the issue.”
However, the Agriculture Minister Yeshey Dorji assured the highlanders that the ministry is very much aware of the issue and is exploring all possible means to address it.
“We understand how people are dependent on Cordyceps. So to curb these issues, the ministry is continuously working to find a solution. We will try our best to help highlanders pick up Cordyceps from their town territory,” affirmed the minister.
Some of the highlanders also requested the government to allow licensed highlanders to collect the fungus from any highlands in the country. During the day-long consultative meeting, Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay said highlanders living on the northern frontiers have a critical responsibility in the security of the borders. More than 350 highlanders from 10 dzongkhags attended the meeting.
