Fungus is peak prize for alpine herders

For herders, caterpillar fungus has been a major contribution to their annual income. The local authorities established 273 checkpoints and 475 temporary branches, ensuring a season free from resource disputes and criminal incidents, thereby maintaining social stability.

In last year's harvest season, more than 158,000 people collected the fungus at a total weight of 29,900 kilograms at 891 sites across six counties, according to the official statistics.