THE RARE HIMALAYAN MUSHROOM, KANGECH, WHICH GROWS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR, WILL LEAVE YOU WITH AN UNFORGETTABLE AFTERTASTE
WHEN THE sky turns cloudy in March, Resham Begum prays that she would hear thunderclaps at night and that the lightning would shine through the window of her mud house in Nagsari forest of Lolab area in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district. “Lightening makes the Kangech sprout from the earth,” she quips. Kangech is the local name for the rare Himalayan mushrooms, the gucchii morels, also referred to as Morchella esculenta.
Begum starts early, and along with her three children—aged between eight and 12—climbs the denser area of the forest. Each member carries a scarf-sized cloth to carry the little treasures and a few thick pieces of bread to sustain them while on the hunt. “On some days, we collect so many Kangech that we find it difficult to carry back,” says Begum. Morel collection is the main occupation of the family for most days in March and April. Begum sun-dries the morels on her rooftop, spread evenly on a straw mat.
By the time a gashnaghar (local broker) arrives in the village, Begum’s family has managed to collect a stock of Kangech that sells for 5,000 to 7,000. The price is not based on weight or number of morels. “He just offers a price to the stock we have collected, usually four of these baskets,” Begum says, showing a large cane basket which can hold about 20 liters.
Denne historien er fra August 16, 2019-utgaven av Down To Earth.
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Denne historien er fra August 16, 2019-utgaven av Down To Earth.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
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REVIEW THE TREATMENT
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As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
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TROUBLED WOODS
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BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara
