Team Herald
PANJIM: Ahead of annual season of local wild edible mushrooms called ‘Roen Alami’, the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) has feared that overexploitation of the mushroom my result in eruption and release of quarantined Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus (KFDV).
In a press statement issued on Friday, GSBB has appealed all those involved in plucking, packing, roadside sale, market sale of the wild edible mushrooms known (Termitomyces species) not to encourage exploitation of ‘Alami’ by selling them and also urged the customers not to support the purchase.
“The GSBB fears that overexploitation of mushrooms may result in eruption and release of quarantined new forest diseases KFDV,” the Board said.
The Board has also appealed to the people to leave behind at least 50 per cent, young stages, on the termite mounds for conservation of their diversity. Owners of private forests are also requested to take care of the species and conserve them.
The GSBB appeals all wild edible mushroom consumers to be very careful of the samples which could be adulterated with look-alike poisonous mushrooms.
“Rather than wild edible mushrooms, people should patronise the much cheaper, more nutritious and cleaner button mushrooms available in local markets,” the Board said.
The Board has said that the people involved in this trade can also take training from Agriculture Department to cultivate oyster mushrooms and earn more income.
‘Roen Alami’ play very important role as a powerful biodegrading fungus in forest and grassland eco-systems converting 50 per cent dead plant materials on ground into rich soil. Besides these mushrooms destroy virus carrying vectors in forest and keep away diseases affecting humans.
