The state of Jharkhand has a high biodiversity and is heavily forested, with a particular emphasis on wild edible mushrooms. One can often find Termitomyces Clypeatus, Macrolepiota Procera, and other wild mushrooms in the forest. The aforementioned edible mushrooms are primarily obligatory, which makes artificial cultivation challenging.
As a result, they are only accessible only for 45 days a year during the rainy season. These mushrooms are high in important vitamins and protein. Rugra is causing concern since it is vanishing from markets and Jharkhand's forests. Rugra is a seasonal favourite. To give you exclusive insights about the rarest wild mushrooms, Slurrp interviewed experts across the country. Find out more about the mushrooms.
Rugra Mushroom: The Popular Vegetarian Mutton
“I feel that mushrooms are a gift of nature and god. These mushrooms should be preserved. I am happy that the government is indexing “GI tags” to ensure our heritage and fauna are saved” says Celebrity Chef Nishant Choubey from Jharkhand when Slurrp asked about Rugra.
In certain areas of Jharkhand, an edible mushroom called Rugra grows naturally. This particular mushroom is native to Jharkhand. In the local marketplaces of Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand, Rugra is recognised as vegetarian mutton.
The Oraon woman and the tribal Santhali come together to sell this tasty mushroom. Rugra has an unusual flavour and an oval shape resembling a small white camphor ball. It has a rough texture and an exterior shell of a soft substance resembling black yolk.
As the monsoon season falls during Lord Shiva's sacred month of Shravan, devotees refrain from eating non-vegetarian food. Because it tastes like a non-vegetarian food, individuals adore purchasing it as a meat substitute.
To remove the soil layer, rugra is thoroughly cleaned before cooking. It can be prepared with curry, which is then enjoyed with rice or chapati. Rugra is undoubtedly a culinary enthusiast's gift from nature.
According to the information shared by foraging communities, “The local trader charges between Rs 250 and Rs 600 per kilogramme. Rugra's season lasts only a few days and occurs once a year. This is the main reason for people's willingness to pay any amount requested.”
In addition to being delicious, rugra has nearly no carbs and more protein, vitamins, and minerals than other mushrooms. For those with diabetes and cardiac conditions, it is highly advised.
Chef Nishant also said, “It gives the farmers enough opportunities, both monetary and mentally during a season where fewer veggies and greens are available readily to sell for high monetary gains. Rugra mushrooms are divine in taste.”
Location And Weather Need For Rugra Mushrooms
In contrast to other mushroom species that grow above ground, this one grows below it, beneath sal trees. This mushroom can only be grown in the dense sal forests of Bundu, Tamar, Pithoria, Chaibasa, Lohardaga, and other places in and around the state capital as informed by the Tribal Society of Jharkhand.
These forests offer the right amount of moisture and humidity. The weather is perfect in these areas in July, with good sunshine, a temperature of about 30°C, and an average of 350 cm of heavy rainfall.
The mushrooms flourish in the rich humus created by the decomposing leaves. The locals also think thunderous storms during the monsoon season add nitrogen dioxide (NO2) to the soil, which helps the mushroom absorb nutrients more effectively.
Early in the morning, the local ladies go looking for Rugra in the area of the Sal tree. By following the location of the previously harvested lot, they can see the mushroom. It naturally grows three to five centimetres below the earth's surface under the canopy of sal trees.
The women just use their fingers to dig a few inches out of the top layer of the earth, then gather it into a wooden basket. A kilogramme of Rugra is placed in the wooden basket in just one hour.
Dangers To Rugra With Declining Favours
One of the most fascinating things about Rugra is that it's never grown commercially anywhere. It grows around the Sal tree and grows naturally well at the start of the first monsoon.
However, productivity has decreased annually in recent years due to changing climatic circumstances, including less rainfall and increased temperature. The communities foraging also added that the risk of flood washes down mushrooms. The mushrooms before harvest if touched or disturbed go bad within an hour making cultivation and preservation extremely difficult. “The mushroom even after harvest, washed and cut will have black stains similar but faster to other mushrooms” said Uma who forages for these mushrooms leading the tribe.
There is also reduced supply because a large portion of the forests are currently being destroyed by mining and construction operations. “The indigenous tribes' relocation to the town or involvement in other activities is another factor that poses a threat to Rugra” adds Uma.
Unfortunately, this mushroom is quickly going extinct from Jharkhand's deep forest. The fact that rugra is extremely perishable and needs to be cooked within eight hours of harvesting is another crucial aspect of this vegetable. Rugra's perishable nature makes exporting it outside of the state challenging. It is extremely uncommon for individuals from other states to be aware of this delectable fungus.
Trading Rugra Outside The State Of Jharkhand: A Hope
Because Rugra is perishable, methods and techniques must be developed before it can be exported to other states. Birla Institute of Technology students are researching this area to extend the shelf life of mushrooms.
Rugra helps many local sellers sustain their livelihoods throughout the monsoon season. However, it hasn't yet become a crop that can be farmed commercially. Research into its domestication and cultivation is desperately needed.
“If taken care of, this can improve farmers' income. The only other agriculture university in the state, Birsa Agricultural University, is similarly working to increase productivity. Additionally, this product needs to have value added to it”, according to the working staff of Tribal Society Of Jharkhand.
Rugra is a delightful treat. Enjoying this great Jharkhand "Veg mutton" mushroom should be experienced by everyone. Rugra is a delicious natural gift unique to Jharkhand; action must be taken to preserve this regional treat.