Yarsagumba also goes by the name of Himalayan Viagra. It is a rare species which lives 6th month as plant (typically mushroom) and 6 months animal (moth larva). It is found in Nepal, India, Bhutan and China only in mountainous area. Due to its unique medicinal benefits like helping in respiratory problems, liver, overcoming fatigue and many more, its price is worth much more. A typical Yarsagumba harvester in Nepal earns a million Nepalese rupees (approx. 8335$) by selling half a kilogram of it.
But the best time to pick the unique species is around May and June, the time period during which Nepal was in complete lockdown and harvesting it was completely banned. Many people move to the mountainous region stay there for about 2-3 months in tent and collect the Yarsagumba. Then they return back and that yarsagumba can feed their families for a year at the same time producing extra hige profit.
The lockdown prevented them from going to mountainous district like Humla, Jumla (of Nepal). After it was eased, a huge folks went on to collect it. But as the best time had passed by, many of them were already rotten and in unusable condition. So many farmers went with excessive harvesting. Many people were caught by the army and the police for the same. IUCN recently published that the spread of the rare species has further declined by 30% due to over harvesting.
Yarsagumba adds a huge billion dollar to Nepal's economy every year by just exporting a ton of it outside. Majority tourists buy from here only without even bargaining. If such actions of those so called farmers whose livelihoods depend on it went on continuing, then the yarsagumba species will soon be endangered. Some checks must be kept on these people and the mountainous area of Nepal where those species are found. I have a hope that Nepal will protect it from being endangered because they have already protected Royal Bengal Tiger, one horned rhino from becoming extinct to multiplying their number within a decade. But the scenario here is different one. But still let's be hopeful. Species being extinct is not a good things for all people living in the earth.