In Kashmir, the world’s costliest mushroom is feeling the tremors of habitat destruction in Kashmir. Locally known as ‘Kanegeich’, the morel mushroom is a rare sight in the valley as it cannot be cultivated commercially and instead it grows wild in some forest regions. The vegetable is sold at Rs. 10,000 to 30,000 per kilogram (€130-300).
Morels are a delicacy used not only in elaborate feasts of Kashmiri weddings but also feature in the menus of high end restaurants in different parts of the world. However, with the growing habitat destruction and rapid urbanization, the extraction of prized mushrooms is wavering every year.
Forest Department data reveals that 8.89 tons of morel mushrooms were extracted in 2017-2018 against 28.12 tons in 2016-17.
Similarly, the 13.48 tons of morel mushrooms were extracted in 2012-13, followed by slump in 2015-16 with only 12.21 tons being extracted.
An official of the Forest Department said there has been frequent disturbance in the natural eco-system of J&K in the last few years: “Guchchi mushrooms usually grow on logs of decaying wood or decaying leaves and even in humus soil. They may or not grow in the same spot the next season and they are notoriously unpredictable as they may show up anywhere.”
However, the extractions have been vacillating due to various anthropogenic activities. “This can be attributed to various reasons like rampant constructions, illegal encroachments, increasing forest fires and overgrazing in the forest areas,” he said.
