Reported By Kelsang Jinpa
Translated By TenGyal
Currently, as sales of artificially cultivated Yartza Gunbu continue to increase in Tibet, the local Tibetans’ livelihood and share of the fungus market face great loss and destruction.
Every year from around the end of April to June, for over a month, it is the Yartza Gunbu harvest season in Tibet. Yartza gunbu (caterpillar fungus, cordyceps sinensis) serves as one of the major sources of annual income for both pastoral and nomadic people in Tibet.
Just as the Yartza harvest season has started in the high-altitude areas of Qinghai, Kanlho (Gannan), Sichuan and many other areas of Tibet, many Chinese people, operating under Tibetan pseudonyms such as Tashi and Dolma, have already started selling artificially cultivated Yartza. As these directly cause great loss and destruction to the Tibetans’ livelihood and share of the fungus market, many Tibetans in Tibet are calling for unity among Tibetans to appeal the issue of artificial fungus. They cite the fact that the Chinese people selling these artificial fungus under the name of Yartza Gunbu of Tibet are engaging in duplicitous practice of trade and as such the market of the artificial fungus must be contained and reduced.
Many Tibetans in Tibet have taken to social media platforms to speak out about the issue of the Chinese artificial fungus. Among them, one Tibetan commented, “ The Chinese, using Tibetan pseudonyms, are selling artificial fungus and claiming that these come from high-altitude Tibetan areas such as Qinghai, Yushul and Nagchu. This is no different than hanging a sheep’s head and selling dog-meat! Yet, since these Chinese have already constructed big factories and have had them legally registered in areas such as Xining and Guangdong, there is no way to shut down their business. Still, even if they sell these fungi, they must clearly specify that these are artificially cultivated in factories. It is illegal to sell them as Tibetan Yartza Gunbu. We must appeal for the prohibition of such activities.” There also posts which show some Tibetans actually going to the gates of factories that cultivates artificial fungus and shouting emotionally, “ Don’t destroy the market of Tibetan Yartza!”.
Currently, the artificial fungus being cultivated by Chinese factories is much like the annual launch of new Apple phones, with new caterpillar fungus products being cultivated every year. So far, the artificial caterpillar fungus has reached its seventh generation. As trade of the fungus continues in Tibetan society due to the high demand in the Chinese cities, it also is leading to many disputes and conflict. Tibetans contend argue that the quality and benefits of the artificial fungus are inferior compared to the Tibetan Yartza, contending that the difference is as distinct between sky and earth.
A Tibetan source stated that on top of the lack of policies from the Chinese government to restrict those selling these counterfeit Yartza Gunbu, they are allowed the freedom to trade publicly online.
In contrast, Tibetans who trade in Yartza Gunbu are being regulated and controlled online, with their online advertisements being completely deleted. Especially, the accounts of Tibetans who speak out about the Chinese artificial fungus have been permanently suspended, highlighting the continued inequality of treatment.
According to information received, 16 people who came outside of Tengchen (Dengqen) county to pick Yartza Gunbu have been identified and arrested. The Dhola County Court in Kanlho (Gannan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture sentenced a Tibetan named Mamo Gyal to one and a half years imprisonment and two years of so-called political education. The County Court alleged that he illegally traded 5,632 Yartza Gunbus from the mountains of Dhola, which are classified as wild plants under second-class protection according to the Regulations of People’s Republic of China on Wild Plant Protection. He was also fined 6,000 yuan as penalty and the whole load of Yartzu Gunbu worth 180,224 yuan was confiscated by the Chinese authorities.
Commenting on the matter, Pema Gyal, researcher at the Tibet Watch stated “Under the guise of implementing many different policies such as the Forage-Livestock Balance and Grasslands Ecological Compensation Policy, the Chinese government is attempting to take away the right of ownership of the grazing lands from the people. Similarly, the Chinese authorities are taking away the peoples’ right of ownership of natural resources such as Yartza Gunbu, gradually changing the Tibetans’ traditionally self-sufficient livelihood into one that is entirely dependent on the Chinese government.”
Similarly, this month, Dharlag County and Dragkar County in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, as well as other areas in Nagchu Prefecture and Yushul Prefectures have issued announcements prohibiting individuals from outside these regions from harvesting Yartza Gunbu in their counties.
These announcements state that outsiders are prohibited from harvesting Yartza Gunbu. In cases where outsiders are permitted to harvest, strict inspections and regulations will be implemented. It further clarifies that towns, villages, offices, and individuals are not authorised to enter into agreements with third parties for the harvesting of Yartza Gunbu. Those who violate these restrictions and engage in illegal harvesting will face severe penalties. During the harvest season, local residents must carry the appropriate permits for Yartza Gunbu harvesting.
Farmers and nomads in Tibetan areas are currently busy harvesting for Yartza Gunbu, often rising early and going to bed late. Many of them are concerned that the price of caterpillar fungus will drop this year. Each year, an increasing number of people are involved in harvesting Yartza Gunbu, which leads to various issues in regions where it is plentiful. There are many regulations related to the harvesting and trading of Yartza Gunbu. For example, in some locations, harvesting begins on the same day for a duration of one hundred days to ensure an average yield.
