YARSAGUMBA (Ophiocordyceps sinensis): A HIGH MEDICINAL VALUE FUNGUS IN HIMALAYAN REGION NEEDS SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION

The Indian traditional knowledge about the Yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is the evidence of its medicative values. Lack of proper scientific knowledge about the sustainable harvesting is making it to go in the endangered category. Due to its high medicative potential, its market value is increasing every year. For earning money, local people are overexploiting this plant which is the main reason for it being endangered. Through modern biotechnology approach viz. tissue culture, cryobank etc. can play an important role for conserving this species and also scientific knowledge and awareness is complimentary approach for sustainable harvesting.