Yarsagumba: "A unique combination-half fungus and half larva." Yarsagumba: which grows in the Himalayan pastures. In the 15-20 years it has become a life-sustaining herb for the people living in western mountain regions of Nepal.
From Dulay(the Yarsagumba collection center) the Yarsagumba travels to Kathmandu and then towards the market in China. The price of good 'Yarsa' by the time it reaches the Chinese is around Rs.40 lakh per kg. Only a tiny fraction of that ends up in the hand of those who actually pick the creatures in Nepali Himalayan pastures. The best Yarsa is said to be found in the Pupal area of Rukum.
Now the journey of Punimaya(who goes to pick up Yarsa at Pupal every year) begins with the publisher's presence this time. "I began my journey from Kathmandu to Rukum in order to learn more about Punimaya Yarsa's journey. Driving past Dang and Salyan, after 18 hours trip I reached the Musikot headquarters of Rukum District Then I began my trek on foot along the bank of Sani Bheri along with my camera, food, and some warm clothes. Three days later I was at Maikot village. The whole village was geared for the Yarsa hunt. When I reached Punimaya didi's house everyone was fully immersed in work. Some were cooking food for the journey, Punimaya and her husband Ramlal were collecting materials for the trip to Buki. They know how difficult it is to spend two months in the Himalayan pastures that they referred to as Buki. Yet they are prepared to forget the pain and seemed to be in a hurry to head for the lap of the Himalayas. "All of us are going to the Buki including the dog and the only one roaster.", said Punimaya. Birman: The well-known trader of the village provides all goods on credit including the permit that is required for the trip to the Buki. "Our hands and legs get frozen, our noses run, our eyes well up, tears stream down so we don't see, it's the cold that kills people up there. The lucky people will be alive and the unlucky will meet their fate and die, those with strong fortune and destiny will earn and the unfortunate will come down sick, it's hard with no water, no firewood.", said Punimaya.
"For two months there will be no students in the village so the school will be closed too, every schoolchild have gone to the Buki by now.", said the headmaster of the school in the village. Climbing up from Maikot I met 13 years old Milan pun, the 'first boy' in class eight. There were hundreds of students like him heading up towards the Buki.
