Bhaderwah (J&K), April 8 The damp weather conditions over the past two weeks have transformed the coniferous forests in Bhaderwah, in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, into a harvesting ground for a seasonal wild mushroom, creating an income opportunity for local women and providing a delicious culinary experience for others.
The "Kundi" mushroom, or earth cup fungus, which had largely disappeared from Himalayan forests in recent years due to prolonged dry weather, has made a strong comeback this season, growing abundantly in the prevailing damp conditions.
Collecting the mushrooms from the forest and selling them to local vegetable markets fetch up to Rs 3,000 per day for a large number of women from the Bhaderwah valley, located amidst the dense cedar forest.
Women living in villages such as Bhudda, Chinta, Duggi, Kansar, Ghuraka, Chinchora, Jatani, Thubba, Dhumanda, Sartingal, Katyara, Mathola, Hanga, and Shankhoja, make it a routine to harvest the fungi at dawn and sell them in the market daily.
They can earn between Rs 400 and Rs 700 per kg during the entire season.
"Kundi, which we used to collect from the forests soon after the snow melted, had been missing for the past two to three years. Its absence was keenly felt across the village, as many families traditionally relied on it during early spring," said 67-year-old Kalyana from the village of Bhudda.
She said that its abundant return this year has brought immense joy. "Our group has been collecting Kundi for the past 20 days, and it is not only reviving a tradition but also providing us with a good source of income."
According to Ajay Kumar from the village of Chinta, the recent incessant rains have turned the forests into a treasure trove of Kundi, making the otherwise quiet forests lively and vibrant.
The sale of Kundi provides livelihood for many families, and most vegetable vendors display it as a key attraction during the season.
"This year, I have recorded my highest-ever sales of Kundi since starting my business a decade ago. Most of the stock in my shop is already pre-booked, with orders coming not only from locals but also from Delhi," said Anil Kumar, a vegetable vendor from Jaie Road, Bhaderwah.
He said that over the past 20 days, he has sold Kundi mushrooms worth around Rs 5 lakh, and women are earning around Rs 3,000 a day by collecting and supplying them to his shop.
Kundi is often found growing in shaded, humid areas after the melting of snow in the post-winter and a spell of rain during spring.
Besides being a tasty seasonal kitchen staple, Kundi is also known for its medicinal properties.