The harvesting and selling of yartsa gunbu
(literally ‘summer grass, winter worm’;
Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is contributing to
economic and social transformations across
the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayan region
faster than any development scheme could
envision. Meanwhile, the rising demand for the
commodity has been linked to violence and
environmental degradation, and has generated
concerns over resource sustainability. Although
good data is emerging on harvesting practices,
medical uses, and the booming market for
yartsa gunbu, especially in Tibetan areas of
China, little systematic research has explored
village-level management practices and
socioeconomic impacts. This paper seeks to
partially fill that void through a case study of
the yartsa gunbu harvest in Nubri and Tsum,
contiguous valleys in Nepal inhabited by ethnic
Tibetans. Using data from household surveys
and in-depth interviews, the authors describe
the process of gathering and selling yartsa
gunbu within the parameters of management
practices that combine religious and secular
regulations over natural resources. The authors
conclude with a discussion of the indigenous
management system in relation to sustainable
development.