Nepal smugglers rush in to harvest ‘viagra’ fungus

The infiltration is an annual affair in the region, keeping time with the timing of the growth of the fungus.

Bhupal Singh, the Sarpanch of Ringu, the last village on the Indo-Nepal border, claimed the smugglers were not allowing locals to enter the forest. In a memorandum to the local revenue officials, the residents of the area demanded that the intruders be evicted and the work of collecting the rare parasitic fungus be given to villagers.

Superintendent of Police Ajay Rautela said local officials have been deputed to visit the spot and take stock of the situation. ‘‘This time the Forest Department will be strict in dealing with the intruders from across,’’ he added.

Last year, the Uttaranchal government had ordered that the local Van Panchayats be given the right to extract and sell the valuable fungus.

–s.m.a.kazmi@expressindia.com