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Wild vegetable plants used by Galo tribe A. Henckelia adenocalyx B. Rhynchotechum ellipticum C. Pouzolzia hirta D. Lycianthes laevis E. Mussaenda roxburghii F. Piper pedicellatum G. Pouzolzia sanguinea H. Clerodendrum glandulosum J. Houttuynia cordata K. Phoebe cooperiana L. Spilanthes acmella M. Phyllostachys bambusoides.
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Wild edible plants are found very useful in the fulfilment of food and nutritional requirements. Because of the availability and cultural preference, the consumption of these plants among the tribes is high. To find out the diversity, utilisation pattern and sociocultural importance of the wild plants, a study was conducted in the state of Arunacha...
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... In addition, the recent expansion of horticultural orchards viz., apple (Malus domestica), pear (Pyrus communis) and almond (Prunus amygdalus) also affected the diversity of wild edible plants growing in the region. Though few studies on the population status at different places in the Himalayan region have been conducted (Verma and Kapoor 2010, Joshi et al. 2018, Sharma et al. 2018, Gajurel and Doni 2020, however studies on the population structure of wild edible plant species are scanty in the Himalayan region and lacking in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh (Singh et al. 2016). Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the diversity of wild edible plants in fringe forest areas of Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh. ...
Wild edible plant diversity in fringe forest areas in Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh, India, was assessed using stratified random sampling by the quad-rat method. A total of 115 plant species comprised 19 trees, 31 shrubs and 65 herb species were found growing in the habitat. Of the total species recorded, the people in the district use 91 plant species (79.1% of the total species) for various edible purposes. Among the edible plants recorded, 16 were trees, 23 shrubs, and the remaining 52 were herbs. Wild edible trees had a higher density (70 trees/ ha) than non-edible tree species (11.25 trees/ ha). Among trees, Prunus persica was recorded with the highest density of 13.75 trees/ha, with a basal area of 1.27 m 2 /ha and an IVI value of 51.56. Wild edible shrub species had a very high contribution of 75.53% (0.71 bushes/9m 2) to the total shrub species density (0.94 bushes 9/m 2). The density of all edible shrub species was <1 bush/ m 2 , and the highest density was of Berberis aristata (0.18 bush/ 9m 2). The density of wild edible herbs was (12.07 individuals/ m 2) lower than the density of non-edible herb species (17.25 individuals/ m 2). Thymus serphyllum a rarely used herb, had the highest density of 5.49 individuals/ m 2 , frequency (17.28 %) and IVI (26.00) among herbs. Most of the other edible herb species had density <1 individual/ m 2. It was observed that the indigenous people in the region frequently visit fringe forest areas for various purposes, which affect the population of wild edible plant species. Further, wild edible plant species knowledge is getting eroded, especially among the younger generation. Hence, public awareness and community based management need to be encouraged at all levels. In addition, forest department and various other government agencies should include important wild edibles in their plantation program.
... The occurrence of A. callosa was also reported in a 2015-2018 ethnobotanical study on the uses and socioeconomic importance of climbing species across the Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh (Kashung et al. 2020). Some species belonging to the Actinidiaceae family were found to be used for human consumption in an ethnobotanical survey of wild edible plants by the Galo tribe in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri and West Siang districts (Gajurel and Doni 2020). ...
Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is cherished for its nutritional and medicinal properties having very limited history of crop improvement. Actinidia strigosa and Actinidia callosa are underutilized wild species occurring in Northeast India having distinctive flavour, aroma and resista wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses. The potential application of these species may be as genetic material to improve kiwifruit quality, yield, and stress resistance. These species may serve as cold-resistant rootstocks and can be used to breed cold-resistant cultivars, and by this kiwifruit cultivation can be expanded into higher elevations, leading to increase in kiwifruit area and production in India and neighbouring countries in the Himalayan foothills. Since these wild species produce delicious fruit with high nutritional and medicinal properties, there is great opportunity to domesticate and bring these wild kiwifruit to market as a local produce, as demand for kiwifruit is increasing globally. These species need to be investigated in detail for their genetic makeup using advanced genomics to understand their evolution and to help the breeding effort. These species represent a valuable gene pool that could be exploited as a source of genetic material or brought to market as a locally grown fruit that can supplement our food supply and nutritional needs. This article summarizes the significance and utility of these wild species in kiwifruit breeding and consolidates relevant and contemporary information on taxonomy, botany, genetic diversity and possible approaches for their use in kiwifruit breeding.
... They play a significant role in complementing the global food basket especially in rural areas. The use of wild plant resources has been an integral part of cultural, religious and health aspect of numerous indigenous and rural communities across the globe (Doni and Gajurel, 2020). The diversity in wild species offers variety in family diet and contributes to household food security (Balemie and Kebebew, 2006). ...
Sohmynting village is located in Thadlaskein subdivision, Elaka Amwi daloiship, West Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya, India. From time of immemorial Sohmynting was inhabitant by different clans from different places of the state. The people had a common practice of collecting wild edibles plants, depending on their availability either seasonally or throughout the year. The information about several plants was recorded through interviews with the local respondents who had the good knowledge about the plants. The present study revealed that about 35 wild plant species belonging to 25 genera comprising 19 families were used as sources of food variety by the people of Sohmynting village. Herbs were mostly used as wild edible plants followed by shrubs, trees and climbers. The parts mostly used were leaves, followed by Flowers, leaves &stem and whole plant respectively, fruit & leaves. Other combinations viz. Fruit, Flower & Stem and Flower & Fruit were also used in few species. Indigenous knowledge about food systems are a good way to deal with the climate crisis
... Although some species like Actinidia callosa, Alpinia malaccensis, Ardisia solanacea, Calamus erectus, Piper ped-icellatum, Pouzolzia hirta, Solanum kurzii, Docynia indica, Gynura bicolor, Lasia spinosa, Ammomum aromaticum, Rhynchotechum ellipticum, Phoebe goalparensis and Elatostema lineolatum showed lower (< 0.10) RFC value, they are still recognized as highly preferred species in the state (18,37,40,44,88) having higher utility rate and marketing. Lower RFC scores of these plant species may be attributed to the restricted traditional knowledge of their uses and limited distribution. ...
Wild edible plants are extensively used worldwide to supplement food, nutrition and medicine. To find out the present diversity, status and utility patterns of wild edible plants (WEPS) in the biodiversity-rich Indian Eastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, for the purpose of plant identification and conservation of potential species, a systematic review of publication was made. A total of 662 species belonging to 340 genera and 124 families used mostly in the form of vegetables, fruits, medicines, spices and condiments have been reported. These comprise 24 species of Pteridophytes, 6 species of Gymnosperms and 632 species of Angiosperms. When the Angiosperms are put under APG IV classification, Eudicots dominate with 72.65%. Asteraceae represented the dominant taxa with 36 species followed by Urticaceae, Rosaceae, Moraceae and Lamiaceae with more than 20 species in each. Based on the RFC values as well as other inputs, 50 highly used and preferred wild edible species having market potentiality are identified that can be included in various management practices.
... WEPs are commonly collected by people of diverse cultures from forests, arable fields, and even anthropogenically degraded zones like roadside and wastelands (Pradhan et al. 2020). It has been estimated that more than 85 percent of the world's population relies on less than 20 plant genera under cultivation for their daily nutritional needs (Doni and Gajurel 2020) despite the fact, use of WEPs is still prevalent and they play a significant role in complementing the global food basket, especially in rural areas. ...
Background: Edible plants that are neither cultivated nor domesticated but can be found in their natural habitat are known as wild edible plants (WEPs). In times of food scarcity, WEPs give a valuable natural nutritional supply as food, diet, and nutrients. Methods: An ethnobotanical field study was conducted in eleven villages of Purmandal using focused group discussions, and interviews through semi-structured questionnaires. Information was gathered from a total of 153 informants (115 females and 38 males). Informants were briefed about the objectives of the study and Prior Informed Consent (PIC) was obtained as per Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The various uses of WEPs were quantified as use-reports, and Cultural Importance Value (CI) and Factor informant consensus (Fic) were calculated. Results: Altogether 58 plants belonging to 51 genera and 34 families were used as WEPs. Cucurbitaceae and Rutaceae (5 species each) were the most represented families, and leaves and fruits were the most frequently used plant parts. The contribution of herbs, shrubs, and climbers were 36.2%, 37.9%, and 15.5%, respectively. The maximum CI was recorded for Mangifera indica L., Phyllanthus emblica L., and Bauhinia variegata (L). Benth. The values of Fic varied between 0.95 (medicinal usage) and 0.99 (chutney preparation). Conclusion: Locals of Purmandal have good knowledge of WEPs. Traditional products made from WEPs like Mangifera indica, Phyllanthus emblica and Bauhinia variegata can be commercialized to improve the economic status of the locals. Furthermore, the nutritive values of important species may be studied. Keywords: Wild edible plants, Purmandal, Food security, Sustainable agriculture.
... With an experience of a very long time, the tribal people have obtained the traditional knowledge, the use of the indigenous edible plants, which are constantly conveyed verbally from generation to generation. Nonetheless, due to the large no. of migration of population to the urban areas, the knowledge about theses indigenous plants has been decreasing and in addition to it a fast decline in natural resources and a shift in cultural tradition [5]. Papumpare district is one of the 26 districts present in the Arunachal Pradesh and stands as the most populated district of the state. ...
The state Arunachal Pradesh is considered one of biodiversity hotspot areas in India. Various tribes in Arunachal Pradesh have been utilizing Indigenous vegetables which are important for their tradition, economical stability, nutrition and health, and social structure. A study was conducted with the objectives to find the knowledge, attitude and practices among the late adolescent (18-25) regarding nutritional attributes of Indigenous vegetables and its consumption pattern in Papumpare district. Questionnaire method was used with an appropriate statistical analysis for the data collection with 200 sample size. The study reveals that the area is inhabited by Nyishi tribe taking up 67%, Christianity with 69% being the most practiced religion. 86% of the subjects were allergic to egg. It was also found to have a positive correlation between the understanding of Indigenous vegetable and Attitude toward the vegetable intake, The knowledge to include vegetable daily and eating seasonal vegetable, The availability of local vegetables and self purchase of local vegetables and Commonly consumed vegetable and local vegetable consumption with the p-values of 0.02, 0.002, 0.001 and 0.001 respectively. It can be concluded that despite having a fair amount of knowledge regarding the indigenous vegetables, the adolescent tend to have limitation on the positive attitude and practices in their consumption pattern The present study further shows that there is an urgent need for adolescents to reconnect with their culture and prompting them to incorporate such vegetables in the diet which may enhance their health and well being.
... Though the fruits are seasonal, the locals especially the children group are fond of these fruits. Most of the wild vegetable recorded in the present study are also consumed by other communities of Northeast India (Rajkumari et al. 2013;Medhi and Borthakur 2013;Konsam et al. 2016;Devi and Salam 2016;Panmei et al. 2019;Doni and Gajurel 2020). Fresh and fermented bamboo shoot has been the important integral vegetable among the Thadou Kuki and other various communities of Northeast India. ...
Haokip LL, Panmei R. 2022. Lesser-known wild edible plants used by Thadou-Kuki tribe of Indo-Myanmar region, Manipur, India. Biodiversitas 23: 3991-3998. Wild edible plants are overlooked groups of plants which forms an integral part of the culture and tradition of many indigenous communities by providing both nourishment and variety in the diet. The present study is an inventory on the wild edible plants consumed by Thadou-Kuki tribe of Manipur. Field survey was carried out in five villages and three local markets of the district. The survey documented 73 wild edible plants consumed by the Thadou tribe. Except for one species each of Gymnosperm and Pteridophyte, all the species (71) are Angiosperms under 64 genera and 43 families. Most of the edible plants are consumed in cooked vegetable form (45%) while processed fruits (4%) is the least mode of consumption. The use of species like Dysoxylum excelsum, Entada rheedii, Eurya acuminata and Erigeron canadensis as vegetables and Meyna spinosa and Physalis alkekengi as fruits is one of the interesting records as these species' usage is meager among other tribes of the northeastern state. It is found that most of the wild plant resources play a vital role in the nutritional fulfillment, medicine and socioeconomic aspects of the Thadou tribe.
... These edible forest products are derived from almost all the parts of the tree, such as fruits, stems, tubers, leaves, seeds, flowers, roots, and rhizomes. Recent studies done by Gajurel and Doni (2020), Mallick et al. (2020), Sharma et al. (2020), and Ghosh-Jerath et al. (2021) collected the records of forest-based food products through field studies in various parts of Indian forests. ...
Forests are considered as a sacred asset in India and have guided the way of living throughout its history. Indian forests not only accommodate the myriad species but also act as a survival support system to the communities that depended on them. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development proposed by the United Nations (UN) has gained momentum and becomes an integral part of the recent efforts of Indian governance. In this investigation, we examined the potential nexus between Indian forestry system (biodiversity-enriched assets, ecosystem services, constitutional mechanisms, and governances) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through theoretical underpinnings from literature that selected from database like Google Scholar, Indian forest survey reports, and information retrieved from Indian government websites. The significance of this review is that it presents comprehensive information about Indian forestry, biodiversity-rich assets , and sustainable forest management practices. The results show that Indian forestry as a whole is an integral part of the food-energy-water cycle and contributes to all dimensions of sustainable development, i.e., economic sustainability, social sustainability, and environmental sustainability. The investigation confirms that besides partly contributing to the economy and life support systems to many dependent species, forests also act as boosters in the areas of food security and health. Targets related to the climate action, peace, and partnership goals are well in place through various forestry interventions and environmental commitments by the Government of India.
... The WFPs can contribute to ensuring food security of the people and towards the realization of global goals, also known as sustainable development goals [21]. India is home to many WFPs such as leafy vegetables, nutritious fruits, tubers, edible stems, and medicinal plants, including myco-foods such as mushrooms [11,12,[21][22][23][24][25]. So far, attention has been paid towards leveraging medicinal plants, but WFPs largely remain ignored because of the underestimation of their economic and nutritional importance and their contribution towards climate-resilient cultivation practices [26]. ...
Wild food plants (WFPs) are consumed by the indigenous communities in various parts of the world for food, nutrition, and medicinal purposes. They are usually collected from the wild and sometimes grown in the vicinity of the forests and the dwellings of the indigenous people in a way such that they are not far from their natural habitats. WFPs are important for the food and nutritional requirements of the indigenous communities. The WFPs are seasonal and collected from the wild whenever they are available. Therefore, the food menu of the tribal co mmunities changes with the seasons. A number of studies have demonstrated various WFPs consumed by indigenous communities including India. The results show that an enormous diversity of WFPs is consumed by the indigenous people of India. However, a few studies also suggest that the consumption of WFPs among the indigenous communities is declining along with the dwindling of traditional ethnobotanical knowledge linked to the collection, processing, cooking, storage, and limited cultivation of WFPs. India can leverage the network of its botanic gardens for the conservation of its wild food plant resources, the traditional and indigenous knowledge linked to it, and its popularization among the citizens within the framework of Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). This article provided an overview of the need to focus on WFPs, limitations of current studies, and role of botanic gardens in the conservation of wild food plants through the implementation of GSPC. This article further provided a framework for the role of botanic gardens in the popularization of WFPs, increasing the awareness about their importance, documentation, and preservation of the traditional knowledge linked to various aspects of WFPs within the GPSC framework.
... Similar observations were also reported from Sri Lanka (Dilrukshi et al., 2013) and a few case studies from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (Johnson-Welch, 2000). Although, more than a dozen of research literatures described the status of wild edible plants (WEP) used by the tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh (Angami, et al., 2006;Gajurel and Doni, 2020;Haridasan et al., 1990;Namsa, et al., 2011) but none of them were found to emphasize the importance of homesteads/ home gardens as a safe shelter of many wild plant species as well as cultivated crops. The study could document 45 planted species which are domesticated by the Khampti tribes in their homesteads from the wild habitat by planting them with time as a source of food yielding plants. ...
A study was conducted to document edible plant species present in homesteads of Khampti tribe of Namsai district, Arunachal Pradesh during November 2019 to February 2021. Randomly selected 225 homesteads of 15 Khampti villages were surveyed for edible plant species, taken photographs, collected samples for identification. Further, the homesteads owners (with pre-consent) were interviewed with semi-structured questionnaire and record information such as local name of the plant, category of the plant (i.e. cultivated, planted and wild), edible plant parts, mode of consumption etc. A total of 150 edible plant species belongs to 56 families were documented from the homesteads of Khampti villages during the study. Of which, 47 edible plant species were planted in their homesteads from the wild, 44 were wild and natural invaders and 59 were cultivated. The study revealed that Khampties were consumed fruits of 72 plant species, whole plant used as vegetables of 21 herb species, tender shoots of 19 plant species used as vegetables, 9 tubers,7 rhizome, seeds of 7 plant species and leaves 6 species. They used to consume 47 plant parts as raw, 77 after cooked, 15 as pickle, 9 as chutney, 7 as spice and another 7 consumed by extracting juice etc. The study could document a considerable extent of edible plant species from Khampti homestead gardens. It indicates that Khampti homesteads were safe shelter edible plant diversity and thus they are being conserved with time and in turn provide the community needs.
