Chinese soldiers entered India to steal 'Himalayan Viagra'. You read that right.
Chinese soldiers have intruded into India several times to collect cordyceps, says report. Photo: DailyO
The Himalayas are a treasure trove of rare flora and fauna. Some of the herbs that are found in the region are costlier than gold in the international market. In the latest, one of these herbs is central to the Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh, says a report.
The Indo-Pacific Centre for Strategic Communications (IPCSC) suggested that several incursions by the Chinese PLA into the Indian territory in the northeast have been to collect a rare Himalayan caterpillar fungus called cordyceps.
Recently, on December 9, Indian and Chinese troops clashed in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh after the latter stepped into Indian territory. While there is no official confirmation on why the Chinese PLA resorted to the incursion, the IPCSC report states that previous such incidents have been related to collecting cordyceps sinensis.
What is cordyceps sinensis? Cordyceps sinensis or Ophiocordyceps Sinensis is a type of fungus that infects caterpillars. It is a combination of both an animal and a plant.
- This caterpillar fungus is exclusively found in the meadows of the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau; hence it is rare and expensive.
- Cordyceps sinensis should not be confused with cordyceps militaris; the latter is a commercially cultivated version of cordyceps.
- The fungus is used in the production of herbal drugs. Cordyceps is known for improving energy, stamina, endurance, appetite and even libido.
- Cordyceps is also nicknamed the Himalayan Viagra or the 'Love Flower' for its aphrodisiac properties.
- It is used widely among middle-class Chinese to cure everything from kidney illness to fatigue, though the scientific evidence is lacking, reports IPCSC.
- It has several names; in India, it is called Keeda Jadi (insect herb), in Nepal it's Yarsa gumba, in Tibet it is Yartsa gunbu and in China, it is called Dong Ching Xia Cao among others.
Why would Chinese soldiers enter Indian territory for cordyceps?
The cost: It is difficult to ascertain the current price of the fungus, but reports suggest that one kilogram of cordyceps fetches anywhere around $20,000 or Rs 17 lakh. This is why it is also called the Himalayan Gold.
- The sale of cordyceps is banned in India. But cordyceps is smuggled to China through various channels. Uttarakhand's Dharchula on the border with Nepal is known for the illegal trafficking of the fungus.
- Cordyceps from Dharchula often makes it to China through Nepal. There, one piece of cordyceps can be sold for around 20 yuan or over Rs 250.
The market: Guangzhou and Hong Kong are said to be the largest markets in the world for the herbal drug.
China's depleting source: China does have the biggest demand for cordyceps, but recently, the availability of the fungus in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau has declined due to climate change and over-harvesting.