Rajganj, 09th September: Forest personnel in the Ambari range successfully apprehended two individuals in possession of valuable Yarsagumba, a prized caterpillar fungus. The accused have been identified as Dendup Tamang, a resident of Kalimpong, and Govind Chhetri, hailing from Nepal.
The operation led by Ranger Alamgir Haque of the Ambari Range, Rajganj, unfolded on Friday night. Forest personnel initiated their operation in the Samarnagar area of Siliguri, where they initially arrested one individual found in possession of approximately 13 grams of Yarsagumba. Following interrogation, the forest personnel subsequently apprehended another person in the Mallaguri area.
The Forest Department had received a tip-off indicating plans to smuggle a significant quantity of Yarsagumba abroad. Acting on this information, the forest workers from the Ambari Range Office posed as potential buyers and engaged with the smugglers in Samarnagar, Siliguri. The negotiated price for 1 kg of Yarsagumba was set at Rs 10 lakh. Subsequently, the forest personnel surrounded the smugglers, leading to the arrest of one individual, while others managed to escape.
Yarsagumba, a fungus primarily found in mountain forests, holds substantial value due to its use in manufacturing medicines for various complex diseases and its high demand in the international market. It typically fetches around Rs 15 lakh per kilogram. The smugglers had intended to transport this valuable commodity to China via Nepal after its seizure in Siliguri. The accused have been presented before the Jalpaiguri District Court, where the Forest Department will continue its investigation into the entire incident.
But how is having Yarsagumba illegal. Peoplehas been naturally harvesting them since years. Ifsomeone came with the stock and wants to sell it, how it is illegal. These people need protection not victimization