According to a press release from the ministry of agriculture and forests (MoAF), one of the cordyceps poachers, who was injured and was being treated at Tshojong BHU has succumbed to injuries. The other is said to be in a stable condition with minor injuries. Meanwhile, in a major difference from what was reported earlier, the Health Assistant of Lunana Basic Health Unit (BHU) has confirmed that the other one who was said to have been injured because of stray bullets, was instead injured by stones thrown by the poachers.
Several attempts were made both from Paro and Bumthang to evacuate the other injured. However, medical helicopter evacuations could not be carried out due to bad weather conditions.
While reports obtained earlier were not very clear, detailed reports were received from Lunana that now establishes what led to the events. The press release also states that there are still over 300 people in Lunana to illegally collect cordyceps. The 10 member patrol team was confronted by a huge group of these individuals.
“They assaulted the armed force personnel, and attempted to snatch their weapons, while others began pelting stones from a higher ground. Nine of the patrol team members received various injuries from the stones and direct assault. One of the foresters in the team was hit on the head with a sheathed knife,” the press release states.
Meanwhile, to avoid any further incidents, the 12 RBA personnel including the military doctor, five foresters, and 70 Lunaps who have permits to collect cordyceps in their own area vacated their camps, leaving behind all their items fearing assault by the poachers if they remained.
According to a press release from the MoAF earlier, a soldier from the Royal Bhutan Army sustained serious head injuries after being hit with stone by a group of people illegally collecting cordyceps in Lunana on May
12. He was medically evacuated by helicopter and is undergoing treatment. It also said several other soldiers on patrol who sustained minor injuries during the incident are being treated by a doctor on duty at Lunana.
In the press release it was stated that a group of over three hundred people from Sephu and Dangchu villages had entered Lunana to illegally collect cordyceps. A 5-member patrol team of RBA and forest personnel on duty at Tshokina, Lunana met them and when the patrol team attempted to send the poachers back, some of the people began throwing rocks, causing injuries.
The illegal cordyceps collectors from Sephub and Dangchu (Wangduephodrang) were involved in a second incident with RBA and forest personnel in Lunana on May 13, 2022.
A 10-member patrol team including RBA and Forestry officials were observing the illegal cordyceps collectors who still remained in Lunana after pelting stones at RBA and forestry personnel on May 13, 2022. The team proceeded to return to camp for the evening but were accosted by an overwhelming number of the poachers, who again began pelting stones. The RBA personnel fired warning shots in the air to bring the situation under control and stop the pelting. It was said two of the intruders were accidentally hit by stray bullets during this exchange. But the press release today says that the injury was caused by stones pelted.
Cordyceps Sinensis or Yartsa goenbub is an insect- fungus highly prized in traditional Oriental medicine, found in high altitudes and some of the harshest terrains in Bhutan, including Lunana.
There are strict regulations and the right to collect cordyceps from a particular area is given to communities who live in the gewogs where it is found. However, several incidents of intrusions by people from outside these communities to poach cordyceps are reported every year.
Several attempts were made both from Paro and Bumthang to evacuate the other injured. However, medical helicopter evacuations could not be carried out due to bad weather conditions.
While reports obtained earlier were not very clear, detailed reports were received from Lunana that now establishes what led to the events. The press release also states that there are still over 300 people in Lunana to illegally collect cordyceps. The 10 member patrol team was confronted by a huge group of these individuals.
“They assaulted the armed force personnel, and attempted to snatch their weapons, while others began pelting stones from a higher ground. Nine of the patrol team members received various injuries from the stones and direct assault. One of the foresters in the team was hit on the head with a sheathed knife,” the press release states.
Meanwhile, to avoid any further incidents, the 12 RBA personnel including the military doctor, five foresters, and 70 Lunaps who have permits to collect cordyceps in their own area vacated their camps, leaving behind all their items fearing assault by the poachers if they remained.
According to a press release from the MoAF earlier, a soldier from the Royal Bhutan Army sustained serious head injuries after being hit with stone by a group of people illegally collecting cordyceps in Lunana on May
12. He was medically evacuated by helicopter and is undergoing treatment. It also said several other soldiers on patrol who sustained minor injuries during the incident are being treated by a doctor on duty at Lunana.
In the press release it was stated that a group of over three hundred people from Sephu and Dangchu villages had entered Lunana to illegally collect cordyceps. A 5-member patrol team of RBA and forest personnel on duty at Tshokina, Lunana met them and when the patrol team attempted to send the poachers back, some of the people began throwing rocks, causing injuries.
The illegal cordyceps collectors from Sephub and Dangchu (Wangduephodrang) were involved in a second incident with RBA and forest personnel in Lunana on May 13, 2022.
A 10-member patrol team including RBA and Forestry officials were observing the illegal cordyceps collectors who still remained in Lunana after pelting stones at RBA and forestry personnel on May 13, 2022. The team proceeded to return to camp for the evening but were accosted by an overwhelming number of the poachers, who again began pelting stones. The RBA personnel fired warning shots in the air to bring the situation under control and stop the pelting. It was said two of the intruders were accidentally hit by stray bullets during this exchange. But the press release today says that the injury was caused by stones pelted.
Cordyceps Sinensis or Yartsa goenbub is an insect- fungus highly prized in traditional Oriental medicine, found in high altitudes and some of the harshest terrains in Bhutan, including Lunana.
There are strict regulations and the right to collect cordyceps from a particular area is given to communities who live in the gewogs where it is found. However, several incidents of intrusions by people from outside these communities to poach cordyceps are reported every year.
