However, only five mushroom species are edible
Lhakpa Quendren
Sarpang— Although it is the least productive season of wild mushrooms, experts from the National Mushroom Centre (NMC) managed to collect 40 different species in the planned Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) area. However, only five species were identified as edible.
This was found during a weeklong comprehensive technical myco-diversity survey conducted in the forests of GMC, which concluded on July 11.
The edible species are Goli Shamu, Wood Ear (Bjeli Namcho), Polyporus (Kaw Shamu), Panus (Shing Shamu), and Splitgill Mushroom (Tsintsiring Bamung).
The team will conduct quarterly surveys to gain more insights into mushroom diversity in the GMC area throughout the year.
Senior Mushroom Supervisor at NMC, Sabitra Pradhan, said that the survey focused on the altitude of the locations and different tree species. “There are obviously different species of mushrooms associated with them.”
She added that similar surveys would be conducted in all four season to capture the full diversity of the region’s mushrooms. “We cannot fully identify the diversity at once. If we had arrived at the peak of the season, as communities have told us, we might have collected more.”
The survey findings are expected to support the GMC project by identifying tropical mushroom species and assessing their potential for domestication, which could lead to the establishment of mushroom cultivation hubs.
Sabitra Pradhan highlighted the risk of mushroom poisoning, particularly among migrants who may mistake inedible mushrooms for familiar edible ones. “They are at risk of mushroom poisoning because they might mistakenly perceive a similar mushroom in a new place as edible.”
The survey also included collection, identification, documentation, and processing of wild mushrooms for the herbarium, as well as conducting awareness campaigns on mushroom poisoning.
“We conducted door-to-door awareness visits and also visited paddy fields, as many people are engaged in paddy cultivation,” Sabitra Pradhan said.
The collected information will also support eco-tourism initiatives and create awareness among residents about the presence of both edible and poisonous wild mushrooms.
The need for awareness has become imperative in wake of increasing cases of mushroom poisoning. Last month, five soldiers and Desuups stationed at the Dekiling outpost were hospitalised at Gelephu Central Regional Referral Hospital after consuming Chlorophyllum molybdites (green-spored parasol) mushrooms. They experienced severe symptoms, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The mushroom survey was initiated by the NMC in collaboration with the Sarpang Forest Division, Bhutan Agriculture Research and Development Center at Samtenling, and the agriculture sector of Sarpang.
The teams covered 10 out of 12 gewogs that fall within the GMC. A similar survey was conducted in Sarpang in 2010.