Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, Apr 8: Rainy and damp weather since last fortnight has transformed coniferous forests in Bhaderwah into a treasure of rare Kundi Mushroom.
The blessing of the nature has benefitted the locals especially womenfolk who collects and sells the Kundi Mushroom in the market at a good price.
Locals informed that ‘Kundi’, the most cherished early spring delicacy disappeared from the Himalayan forests since last couple of years mainly due to dry weather.
Women often start their day at dawn, searching through lush, damp forests alongside deodar trees for this mushroom.
Rural women from villages of Bhaderwah valley located along dense cedar forest like Bhudda, Chinta, Duggi, Kansar, Ghuraka, Chinchora, Jatani, Thubba, Dhumanda, Sartingal, Katyara, Mathola, Hanga and Shankhoja collect the rare mushrooms from the forest areas and then sell it at a price ranging from Rs. 400 to 700 per kg.
“We were disappointed that the most loved delicacy of the season disappeared since last some years but we are thankful to the Almighty that this year Kundi resurfaced in abundance and our group is collecting them since last 20 days,” said Kalyana, 67, from village Bhudda.
“The recent rains have transformed our forests into the treasure of Kundi and traditionally women venture to collect them as the mushroom remains scattered everywhere in the woods,” said Ajay Kumar, 29, of village Chinta.
These days, every second vegetable vendor in Bhaderwah town is found selling Kundi.
“This year I have sold maximum amount of Kundi and I am also getting orders from Delhi,” said a vegetable vendor Anil Kumar of Jaie Road, Bhaderwah.
Kundi is also known for its medicinal properties.
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