Bajhang, May 4 -- Anjana Bohara from Surma Rural Municipality in the mountain district of Bajhang had headed to the highlands on April 14 to collect yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis), a caterpillar fungus prized for its purported medicinal properties. But she returned home after a few days to cast her vote in the April 27 by-election in the district.

Yarsagumba is a parasitic fungus that grows within a variety of moth caterpillars in the Himalayan region. Locally called yarsa in short, the fungus kills the caterpillar and emerges from the dead body as a thin stem. Yarsagumba is in high demand in a number of countries in East Asia, particularly China.

Bohara said that typically during the yarsagumba collection season, people remain in...