To address illegal cordyceps collection and encroachment into others’ jurisdictions, which become quite rampant during bumper harvest, the district administrations of Gasa and Wangdue Phodrang and respective gewogs held a coordination meeting recently. During the meeting, the local government and the district authorities agreed to establish clear boundaries for collection and heighten awareness within their respective jurisdiction.
According to the Lunana Gewog Administration, the locals, to whom the cordyceps belong, lose most of the priced fungus to illegal collectors every year.
The coordination meeting, held last Thursday in Wangdue Phodrang, brought together local leaders and district officials of both districts.
It was decided that the respective Gewog Administration should issue the cordyceps collection permit, allowing the public to collect the fungus only from their jurisdiction as per the Forest and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations.
The meeting also decided that the respective local leaders should sensitize and create awareness in their respective communities before issuing permits.
“The duration for cordyceps collection is limited to just one month. Within this period, if illegal collectors encroach into our jurisdiction, it takes around two weeks just to file a complaint with the district administration and the government. The permitted collection period runs out in the meantime. By the time security personnel reach the location, most of the cordyceps would have already been harvested by illegal collectors. This is why early preparation is crucial. If every individual takes this responsibility seriously, we can ensure a smooth and successful harvest during the bumper harvesting time,” said Kaka, Lunana Gup.
It is in preparation for the bumper harvest next year. Lunana usually sees a good yield of fungus every five years. As a result, the gewog also reports the most incidents of illegal collection, resulting in conflicts and hostility between the locals and illegal collectors.
Likewise, it was also decided in the meeting that the Department of Forests and Park Services offices in Wangdue Phodrang and Gasa will propose the required number of armed force personnel, De-suups, and forestry officials to their respective authorities to manage security arrangements during the bumper harvest season.
“As highlanders, we live along the border areas and secure the borders. If cordyceps are taken by other illegal collectors, it will impact our livelihood. Eventually, this will force our people to migrate toward lower regions. So, everyone needs to know about the losses it would incur on highlanders and the adverse consequences in the future,” added Kaka, Lunana Gup.
Cordyceps collection season, which runs for a month, falls in June every year.
As the fungus is the lifeline for the highlanders, maintaining clear jurisdiction and boundaries is crucial for them to ensure a smooth collection process.
Highlanders in four gewogs of Wangdue Phodrang entitled for cordyceps collection share borders with Lunana Gewog in Gasa.
“We have always been advocating our people to avoid encroachment into others’ jurisdiction and been telling them that such actions are considered a crime. We have been advising them to collect only within our jurisdiction, in accordance with forestry regulations. This practice will continue, and we will continue to advocate for our people accordingly. Regarding the issuance of permits, we have never issued a permit for entry into another jurisdiction. In the future, we plan to issue permits solely in accordance with the forest regulations,” said Phub Dorji, Dangchhu Gup.
His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo granted cordyceps collection as a kidu for highlanders in 2004. It has become the main source of livelihood for the highland community ever since.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Phub Gyem
