Yarsagumba: The Himalayan Viagra

Yarsagumba or Yarchagumbu is an exceptional and incredible herb that grows in the pastures above 3,300 meters upto 4000 meters in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, Bhutan, India and Tibet. Yarsagumba literally means summer plant and winter insect (dong cong xia cao) in Tibetan. In India it is usually known as ‘Kira Jhar’ which means Insect Plant . Scientific name of this herb is Cordyceps Sinensis.
Yarsa gumba is a exceptional combination of a yellow caterpillar and a mushroom (fungus). Just earlier to the rainy season, spores of cordyceps fungus infect these Himalayan caterpillars that live on moist grass and hollow soil. After the fungus buries itself in the caterpillar’s body, it works its way out through the insect’s head. The parasite gets the energy from the caterpillar. The fungus parasite gets so much into the body of the caterpillars’ that it drains all the energy from the insect and ultimately it dies. As temperature increases and the snow melts -yarsa gumba emerges and is collected at this time. During monsoon, the yarsa gumba is swept away.
Researches has revealed that the body of Yarsagumba contains:- Cordycepin acid, Cordycepin, D-mannitol, Polysaccharide, SOD, Fatty Acid, Nucleocide Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12, Serien, Zinc, Copper, Carbohydrates etc. Cardycepin and Cordycepic acid have been found to be the main constituents.
Yarsagumba is also known as the “Himalayan Viagra” or “Himalayan Gold” for its high medicinal and commercial value. It is mainly used as a treatment for impotency in many countries. Numerous scientific studies and research reveals that it has properties of antibiotic in it. Cordycep sinensis is used for lung and respiratory infection, pain, sciatica and backache. It also provides vitality and increases physical stamina of the body. Yarsa gumba is used by the Chinese to cure chronic hepatitis B and immune function such as dysfunctioning of liver. According to the Hawaiian health products, cordyceptin is found effective against tuberculosis as well as in the treatment of leprosy. Another major use of this is in the treatment of leukemia. It is useful for children, adults, the aged and the sick people. It energizes lung, kidney and liver; improves memory and purified blood; keeps a person physically and mentally sound. It is of great importance for men and women of any age group, players, people working in physical stress, suffering from premature ejaculation and sexually inactive ones. It gradually empowers internal energy of our body in a natural way as well as acts as a powerful aphrodisiac. Unlike Viagra, it does not cause any mental problem or any other type of physical damage or malfunctioning. (Further information in Wikipedia, Danielwinkler’s page)

Source:http://blog.xnepali.com/yarsagumba-the-himalayan-viagra/

Floriculture: a boon for the Himalayan nation

Nepal is a country full of rich bio-diversity having thousands of species of flora and fauna blooming in the uphill of the Himalayas to the plain terrain. There are over 6500 species of trees, bushes and flowers found in Nepal. There are over 300 types of orchids alone in Nepal.

Having been so rich in floral wealth, Nepalese are slowly learning to harness the wealth of floriculture. Floriculture is no more a leisure pursuit now, as it has become a lucrative business with people’s changing lifestyle and growing demands for various occasions.

Till five years ago, Nepal was a net importer of many types of flowers and floriculture products but the scenario has significantly changed with the increase in domestic market and commercial production. According to Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN), the volume of floriculture business in Nepal is growing at the rate of 10-15 percent a year.
The commercial floriculture has now been expanded to more than 34 districts with over 550 nurseries covering 80 hectare of land. Today, the sector employs more than 2500 people with more than 60 percent women employee.

The total annual sales volume of floriculture and related business has already crossed Rs 230 million from a mere Rs 50- 60 million a decade ago. Of the total business, export of floriculture and related products constitute more than Rs 32.6 million, which is growing rapidly for the last couple of years.
Nepal exported floral products worth Rs 32.63 million in 2005-06, registering a huge growth of about 100 percent against the export of Rs 16.52 million in 2004-05. Nepal had exported floral products worth Rs 11.20 million in 2003-04. The sector has grown strength to strength over the years, as it has already fetched investment over Rs 375 million in infrastructure and planting materials. Although Nepal started exporting floral products just a few years back, its reach has gone up from India, to USA, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Australia, Taiwan, Italy, Germany and some of the Gulf countries. However, the exporting items are limited such as bulbs, tissue culture plants, cut flowers and ornamental plants.

The prospect of floriculture in Nepal is very bright. The rapidly growing number of nurseries and farmers changing their farmlands into commercial flower gardens are some of the evident factors.

Source:http://www.nepalbiznews.com/newsdata/Photo-Feature/flowerfeature.html

Medicinal herbs plantation for livelihood

Commercial agriculture of medicinal herbs has been started in Bhairahawa with a view to promote medicinal herbs useful in treatment of different kinds of diseases.

The plantation was initiated with the technical assistance of Herbal for Livelihood Service Center, an organization set up to promote medicinal herbs plantation as a commercial business. Central President of the Project Dr. Badri Gautam and Rupandehi President of the Project Kamalesh Agrawal began the plantation of these herbs in private investment.

The investors said that agriculture of this kind could contribute national economy if it would be planted systematic and scientific manner. They have been planting Staviarebaudiana (Chinimar), Commiphorawighti (Gokuldhup), Linn (Kasturi latta), Burm.F (Bayu biding), Vahl (Sanayapatti) including others.

According to Dr. Badri Gautam, plantation of Milk Thistle and Chamomiles has been started this year in two bighas of land in Kamhariya VDC as an experiment. Milk Thistle is useful for the treatment of liver while Chamomiles produces pleasant perfume. According to Dr. Gautam, Steviarebaudiana is 33 percent sweeter than sugar and it can be used by diabetes patients. Besides this, it helps cure other diseases related to mouth, throat, skin and abdominal diseases.

Dr. Gautam said Commiphorawighti is useful for uric acid and skin and Burm.F is useful for abdominal diseases. Stating that these herbal plants have ample demands in market, Dr. Gautam opined entrepreneurs especially farmers could operate herbal plantation as beneficial as other kinds of business. Dr. Gautam said seed of those herbal plants were imported from India. According to him, there is substantial demand of such herbal products in national and international markets.

Dr. Gautam and Agrawal, in initiative of the Center, also planted lemon grass in 17 bighas of unused land of Buddha Airport taking in lease for three years.

Rs. 1 million has been invested in lemon grass plantation in total. The lemongrass planted once delivers product for 6 years three times in each, according to the Center. Oil can be produced from Lemongrass after refining that is used in producing vitamin A capsule and other medicines.

Herbal for Livelihood Service Center has been encouraging and providing technical assistance on medicinal herbal plantation for livelihood in Rupandehi, Jhapa, Dhankuta, Makawanpur, Kaski, Gulmi, Dang and Banke districts. In addition, it has already trained to over a thousand individuals on medicinal herbal plantation.

Source:http://www.nepalbiznews.com/newsdata/Feature/jadibuti.html

Consernvation@Hill Society

The Park remains untouched by any road network and thus provides a unique opportunity for sound conservation efforts. Until the 1960s human pressure on the Sainj-Tirthan area grew very slowly. People in the area were primarily living at a subsistence level with very limited export of natural resources beyond the area. More recently, the state government's commitment to rapid economic and social development of the area put great pressures on the environment. To overcome the Kullu mountain region's inaccessibility, road and transport infrastructure became a first priority. In the late 1960s, local roads were steadily improved to make automotive traffic possible. These roads enabled regular bus service, allowing villagers from remote areas easy access to major towns for markets and labor.

Traditional Conservation:

Nature conservation in the villages close to the western periphery of the Great Himalayan National Park has traditionally been an integral part of the lifestyle of the local villagers. The Devta or deity institutions dominate the social fabric. Attached to these Devta committees are sacred groves which are exclusively protected in name of the Devta. Over several hundreds of years, the villagers have made their own rules for these sacred groves which even today are honored. The sacred groves of Shenshar Valley, Jiwanal, and Lapah village are some of the best examples of such local conservation efforts. To a villager, the sacred grove is a matter of great divine respect. For a scientist it can be a reference point to study biological diversity.

Commercial Crops

As roads and transportation improved, the state government began the expansion of market agriculture. This work centered in the main Kullu valley at first and was then extended into the Sainj-Tirthan area in the late 1960s. The growing markets for cash crops, especially fruit, allowed a major opportunity to "modernize" the agricultural economy.The promise of rural economic development needs to be balanced against the danger of adverse environmental impacts, which could ultimately undermine any economic gains made. For the village economy, these new markets created new prosperity. Unfortunately, it was not all equitable. Urban traders were major beneficiaries of the new income, and the larger landowners were able to profit from planting orchards. The landless Scheduled Castes, at the bottom of the economy, benefited only in the form of wage labor.
Conservation and Human Pressures:

The Indian Forest Department's modern policies are consistent with the overall development priorities of state. The value of the forest is recognized not only in the physical field such as conservation of soil and moisture, prevention of erosion and increase in rain fall etc., but also in the economic field such as development of agriculture, industry, and communication.In response to environmental criticisms, commercial logging was banned statewide in 1978 with the Forest Department reorienting their work toward reforestation and conservation. Reforestation had begun almost at the beginning of the Forest Department's existence, over a century before, but its priorities were very different from villagers' interests. From very early on, the Forest Department had planted commercial species in Reserved and Protected Forests, at the expense of fodder trees.

Timber Distribution:

One vitally important feature for villagers' lives was the system of Timber Distribution (TD) rights: granting timber trees from government forests to villagers for construction, for very low fees. By the 1970s the question of TDs was becoming an increasingly contentious between forest officials and villagers. In an accelerating trend, many village families were splitting from larger joint households into nuclear units, so there was a steady increase in demand for housing construction.

Grazing Pressures:

Research in GHNP saw domestic grazing as largely destructive of wildlife and habitats, reducing the amount and diversity of shrubs and ground vegetation and causing severe alteration of the natural forest flora. In most areas this reduces the suitability of the habitat for wildlife. The upward spring migration of flocks to high meadows (or thatches) probably disrupts nesting habitats of pheasants and other species. It was estimated that up to 1999, about 20,000 to 30,000 sheep and goats migrated into the area each season.
Medicinal Herbs and Non-Timber Forest Products:

The second major pressure on GHNP's species diversity is the collection of medicinal herbs, as well as other forest products, including the commercially valuable morel mushroom. Until the 1960s there was no significant commercial market for the major herbs, and no one anticipated that this would become a critical issue for the Park. Beginning in the 1960s the commercial market expanded enormously, giving local people a major new source of income. Before 1999, a survey indicates that 70-85% of households gained cash income from collecting and selling herbs. The collecting season was restricted to only two months, 15 August to 15 October. But with the temptations of the booming market, collectors expanded their work to the entire season, from April to November. This has resulted in depletion of several species of herbs and medicinal flora (e.g., local names: karu, muskabala, dhoop, guchhi). The system of trade begins with many local shopkeepers, who buy from the gatherers. The herbs are shipped from these towns to Amritsar, Delhi, Bombay, and beyond. Nearly 40 species are collected. About 2000 to 4000 persons entered the area to collect herbs each season.
Hunting:

Hunting of birds and mammals, another important source of the natural wealth, also underwent basic restrictions. In the years immediately after Independence many local shikaris (hunters) obtained licenses for snaring musk deer and hawks. Monal, Western tragopan and koklas pheasants were killed for their crest feathers which were used for hats. Falcons were sold to Pathan traders. Poachers also took their toll on deer and ungulates used for food and commercial products.Prior to GHNP's protection, skyrocketing prices on international markets, parallel to the explosion of some medicinal herb prices, rapidly outstripped the capacity of officials to control or even monitor the harvest. The most dangerous case was the market for the musk pod of male musk deer, which were hunted close to extinction in the area in the 1970s. The first GHNP wildlife survey reported that the price for musk pods had spiraled upward in the 1970s. The price for brown and black bear skins as well as the bile of black bear had also escalated over 100 fold. The actual hunters continued to be mostly local men, but there were some outsiders too. In 1982 most hunting was banned in Himachal including GHNP.
Current Conservation:

Efforts to conserve forests and wildlife are gradually shifting away from a law enforcement and use-restrictions approach (of the 1980s and 90s), towards community participation emphasizing equitable and sustainable use of natural resources by local people. This change in approach is particularly important in remote rural areas of Himachal Pradesh, where biodiversity is concentrated, where poverty tends to be all pervasive, and where the outreach of government development programs is often limited. This has meant a new emphasis on finding ways of deriving new economic opportunities from biological resources that will lead to increase in land productivity as well as provide alternative sources of livelihood.

In India, efforts to link protected area management with local social and economic development programs are referred to as ecodevelopment, i.e., ecologically sustained development. Although the concept of ecodevelopment has been under discussion in India for more than a decade, practical steps towards developing and testing workable approaches in the field have begun only recently. Efforts are focusing on two areas: (1) community participation, with the objective of promoting sustainable use of land and other resources, as well as on-farm and off-farm income generating activities which are not harmful to the environment.(2) limiting rural development, with the participation of local people, for the purpose of reconciling genuine human needs with the specific aims of protected area management.

A strategy of active involvement of the local people in biodiversity conservation demands enhancing the productivity of village lands. The Great Himalayan National Park ecozone area is a huge repository of local knowledge about the uses of the medicinal herbs. They know the medicinal plants very well. Livelihood options in the post-settlement period include, vermicomposting, medicinal herb cultivation, and handicraft development. There are good opportunities to support a people-oriented medicinal herb propagation program outside the Park. This has great potential, but requires significant development (proper market tie-ups, value additions, etc.).

Source:http://www.greathimalayannationalpark.com/GHNP_conservation.htm

Himalayan National Park

The concept of environmental conservation in the Kullu Valley has very early origins. The present day names of many places in this valley owe their origin to the names of saints who came here to meditate in the great sanctuary of Himalayas. Some of these sanctuaries are still preserved as sacred groves. The local villagers recognize that certain trees, groves, and forests have special attributes. These areas were always protected from exploitation. However, the increasing pressures of colonization in the 18th and 19th centuries for commercial exploitation of forests raised concerns that certain state-oriented conservation efforts were needed. Since Indian independence in 1947, environmental pressures have steadily increased in the Kullu Valley.

In modern India, the appreciation for conservation of valued natural resources and environment was established with the creation of the first national park, Corbett National Park, in the 1930s (in the state Uttar Pradesh). India's participation in the first Earth Summit (Stockholm, 1970) resulted in a central policy which set aside 5% of the country for conservation. This marked the beginning of a systematic conservation effort in India. As a result each state has set aside a network of national parks and sanctuaries under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972). In Himachal Pradesh, it wasn't until the 1980s that initial efforts were made to create a national park which was finalized as the Great Himalayan National Park (1999).

From 1978-80 a team of Indian and international wildlife biologists conducted the first systematic survey of three areas in the Upper Beas River region as possible sites for a national park. In 1981 their report recommended the Sainj-Tirthan as having less human and livestock impact than either the Solang valley at the upper end of the Beas basin, or the upper Parbati Valley. In 1983, Dr. Peter Garson continued working with the Wildlife Wing in the Sainj-Tirthan area. He concluded that "we are now completely confident that the upper Sainj and Tirthan Valleys contain both exceptional forests and a remarkable and complete array of the larger, more ecologically sensitive wildlife species typical of the Western Himalayas." In particular the area supported critically important populations of the endangered Western Tragopan, Chir Pheasant, other pheasants, and musk deer.

In addition to Central and State government, local people and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are all participants in the process of creating and maintaining a national park. Even with the complexity of so many players, often with different agendas, the creation of GHNP represents a commitment to protect a unique area of the Western Himalayas.

Great Himalaya National Park (GHNP) has invaluable rare and endangered species. The Park preserves examples of many ecosystems that have become rare elsewhere in the Himalayas. It will take much time and effort to understand the intricate workings of these ecosystems. If they are not preserved and studied now the unique forests, subalpine shrubberies, and flowery alpine meadows could be destroyed, along with the many animal species that are dependent on them.

Source:http://www.greathimalayannationalpark.com/GHNP_conservation.htm

Himalayan Biodiversity

Bounded to the East by the Himalayan Mountains, the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) forms part of the boundary between four ecological zones: (1) the dry deserts of interior Asia and the well-watered lowlands of the Indian plains, (2) the Oriental and Palearctic faunal realms, (3) the high plateau of Tibet and the jumbled Himalayan peaks, and (4) the catchments of the Beas and Sutlej Rivers, both mighty tributaries of the Indus. Because of its complex geography and its great variations in altitude, the limited area of the Park encompasses an enormous range of species, which span the subtropical to the alpine and include those characteristic of the south-east Asian forests as well as those found across Siberia and the Asian steppes. Few ecological sanctuaries present such a variety of wildlife habitat and biological diversity in such a small area.

The Park is the foremost priority for conservation in the North-West Himalayas. Its remote location has thus far spared the Park many of the problems that have affected natural ecosystems elsewhere in India. The occurrence of temperate and alpine ecosystems in a geographically compact area make GHNP the most significant and biggest conservation unit in the Western Himalayas. This status further protects the relatively inaccessible rugged terrain which represents the ecology, geology, and biota characteristic of the North-West Himalayas.

The boundaries of GHNP are contiguous with the Pin Valley National Park in Trans-Himalaya, the Rupi-Bhawa Wildlife Sanctuary in Sutlej watershed, and the Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary. Together the varied wildlife habitats of these protected areas support the full range of Western Himalayan biodiversity, from tropical to alpine and Tibetan. Thus, the Park is a crucial protected area because it connects other islands of biodiversity. This increases the availability of migration routes between protected areas which is essential for the survival of many animals.

From the roadhead at Gushaini or Neuli, the trails leading to the Park pass through subtropical pine forests. They rise towards the dense coniferous and mixed deciduous woods of the temperate zone, which is entered at about 1800 m. In summer, the spreading canopy of green and silver oaks and horse chestnuts provide welcome relief from the sun. Above this zone, at about 2500 m, cool-temperate forests of fir and spruce occur on northerly slopes, with brown oaks on southerly aspects. Above 3000 m, these forests grade gently into a sub-alpine zone of birches and rhododendrons, diminishing in size as the tree line is approached. Above 3000-3200 m, we find alpine meadows, splashed with a great variety of flowers and higher again is the realm of rock and ice that rules the high peaks and ridges.

Among the large mammals that visitors may encounter, there are several species of herbivores that are characteristic of the Park. The Goral (Naemorhedus goral), a small goat-antelope is found in the lower forests; the Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) in the higher forests, and above the tree-line the Bharal, or Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur). These mammals are the prey for Leopards (in the forest zone) and Snow Leopards (above tree-line). Himalayan Black Bears inhabit the forests, while Asiatic brown Bears occur on the alpine meadows.

Among birds, the Park is well known as the most important locality in India for the endangered Western Tragopan. Four other species of pheasant occur in or adjacent to the Park, the one most likely to be seen by visitors is the Himalayan Monal, an abundant bird in the higher forests, although rather shy. Raptors are also a prominent feature of the Park, with Lammergeiers, Himalayan Griffon Vultures, and Golden Eagles being seen regularly. A great variety of other birds occurs, some of which reach their western limit in the Park.

The flora of GHNP shows affinities with Mediterranean, Tibetan, and the Peninsular Indian region. For example, species of Valerians, Dactylorhiza, Yew, and Leycesteria are typical taxa which extend to Afghanistan and west China. Other affinities that are met with here are in form of buckthorn (Hippophae) of palaearctic region; Cedar trees, herbaceous Violets, and grasses such as Poa of Mediterranean region; and spurge (Euphorbia) shrubs of Peninsular India. In addition, GHNP has a number of endemic species of Himalayas, for example several species of balsams (Impatiens), species of Androsace, Hedysarum, Draba (Whitlow grass),etc.

Many visitors are drawn to the mountains and the wildlife of the Park. The indigenous culture of the mountain villages, adjacent to the Park, also offer unique experiences for the traveler. Isolated for centuries from the large urban centers, these remote hamlets developed a highly distinctive culture, based on the worship of local deities (devta) which are celebrated in numerous local, regional and national festivals. From the characteristic architecture of the houses and temples, and the folk wood carvings that decorate them, to the silver jewelry and woven wool shawls and blankets, there is a great range of local crafts to see.

Nor should the visitor ignore the clear interdependence of people and environment that is characteristic of traditional lifestyles. Although the high valleys of the Park are remote and support a varied flora and fauna, the signs of traditional use are everywhere. They form an intimate part of the Park's ecology. An understanding of the role that traditional practices (e.g., grazing, burning, and medicinal plant collection) have had on the Park's biota is important before we can fully appreciate the forces that have contributed to development of the ecosystems we see today.

Source:http://www.greathimalayannationalpark.com/GHNP_biodiversity.htm

HIMALAYA ENVIRONMENT

Economic changes and population increases are threatening the ecology of the Himalayas. In recent years, deforestation in the foothills and the Middle Himalayas and overgrazing on the high pastures has led to soil erosion and other environmental problems. Deforestation is a particular concern in the western Himalayas, where increased demand for firewood, extensive tree trimming in order to feed livestock, and construction of roads in the border regions have increased the destruction rate of forests and the number of landslides.
Rapid population growth has accelerated pollution, and Himalayan streams that were once clear are now polluted with refuse and sewage. Hill people who use the water for drinking suffer from dysentery; cholera and typhoid epidemics are also common. Large lakes like Dal in Kashmir and Naini Lake (Nainital) have also become polluted.
Regional variations in environmental degradation exist in the Himalayas. Conditions range from a critical situation in the Himalayas of Nepal, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Kashmir to a moderately serious situation in Bhutan and the eastern Himalayas. If rapid development continues in Bhutan and the eastern Himalayas without due regard for conservation, the problems there may assume critical proportions in the near future. The governments of India, Nepal, and Bhutan are aware of the dangers of environmental degradation in the Himalayas, and environmental management concerns are being integrated in development projects in this region.
Hard as it may sound to those overcome by the sheer magnificence of this mountain chain, the majestic Himalayas are surprisingly vulnerable to both natural processes and man-made ones. The mountain chain is young and, as has been proved in recent years, it is still geologically active. The Indian landmass continues to move towards the Eurasian landmass as a result of which the Himalayas rise by a few millimeters every year. Due to this, the Himalayas are still structurally unstable.
The Himalayas also feature a fragile ecosystem. For centuries, this ecosystem has remained delicately balanced, and has been responsible for the tremendous biodiversity of the Himalayas. Only in recent years has the ecosystem been disturbed in various parts due to processes both man-made and natural.
Man has also been responsible to a large extent for some of the environmental problems faced by the mountains. As he strives for industrialization, modernization and the so-called higher standard of living, man has disturbed the natural ecosystems of many parts of the world. The Himalayas have been no exception. Over the centuries, pilgrims and explorers have visited the mountains. However, in the past their numbers were few and the Himalayan ecosystem, fragile as it is, was able to cope with the effects of human exploration in the areas.
But today, the story is different. In the last few decades, an intricate network of roads has been built into the mountains, which have made some of the most remote areas more easily accessible. This has translated into a tremendous increase in the numbers of people who visit the mountains every year. The Himalayas are now being exploited, to the hilt in many areas, to provide materials for the growing number of forest-based industries. Thus, it is not a surprise that environmental problems have emerged in the Himalayan region.

Source:http://www.explore-himalaya.com/himalaya_environment.php