Abel Barretto
Canacona: The monsoon season in Canacona, once marked by the scent and sale of wild Termitomyces mushrooms—locally known as ‘roen almi’—has taken a stark turn this year, with sales all but disappearing.
Traditionally, tribal women would sell the prized mushrooms wrapped in teak leaves along the Balli-Char Rasta stretch. A handful of olmi could fetch up to Rs 500 due to their scarcity and demand.
However, recent incidents of mushroom poisoning, including a serious case in Canacona, have deterred buyers. One local was hospitalised after consuming a toxic lookalike mushroom. Locals report being informed that the government has banned wild mushroom harvesting for sale this year.
Also, the Goa State Biodiversity Board recently issued an advisory against indiscriminate foraging, citing ecological degradation and the risk of misidentification. The advisory warned of legal action against violators, effectively halting roadside sales across the taluka.
Typically, men forage for mushrooms before dawn, relying on ancestral knowledge, while women sell them in town. But this year, even the usually bustling Chaudi market has not seen a single vendor.
“This is the first time in years we haven’t seen a single roadside seller,” said several locals.
Manoj Prabhugaonkar, chairman of the Loliem-Polem Biodiversity Management Committee, said responsible foraging is a must. “Forage responsibly, only harvest mature mushrooms and leave a few behind for spore formation. Avoid digging into the ground while foraging, or we risk wiping out this species from Goa forever,” he said.
Prabhugaonkar added that while the trade had boosted incomes, overharvesting had endangered the ecosystem. “With stricter regulation and increased awareness, this pause may offer a much-needed chance for nature to recover,” he said.
