RP, Harisha and S, Padmavathy (2013) Knowledge and Use of Wild Edible Plants in Two Communities in Malai Madeshwara Hills, Southern India. International Journal of Botany, 9 (2). pp. 64-72. ISSN 18119700

[thumbnail of IJB_harisha_vol-9_no-2_pg-64-72-2013.pdf] Text
IJB_harisha_vol-9_no-2_pg-64-72-2013.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.

Download (621kB)

Abstract

The current study aims to explore the local community knowledge on the uses of Wild Edible Plants (WEPs) and assess their aid to the food security; dietry diversity and revenue of households in Malai Madeshawara (MM) Hills reserve forest. A comprehensive inventory of ethno-botanical knowledge of the forest dependent communities in MM Hills Reserve Forest has been documented. Data were composed through: (1) A survey of 120 households aimlessly chosen from a total of 355 households in four villages. (2) Focus group discussion and personal observations. Ninety-two plant species were found to be used as source of supplementary food, medicine and beverages. Fourteen of the WEPs were collected by 95% of the households. WEPs are as important as farm produce in the annual food supply. Eighty-nine of the WEPswere collected only for their own consumption. Of the ninety two WEPs, 58 species (62%) are collected from the forest and the remaining is found as weed in agricultural lands. Commuity discerns that use of WEPs is declining due to the intervention of social and food security schemes, driven dietry shift and lifestyle change. The results revealed that WEPs are of high importance to the local commuities in terms of food security, dietry diversity and cultural identity. The findings suggest further investigation of nutritional profiles, cultural values and conservational study of the reported wild edible plant species.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Copyright of this article belongs to Asian Network for Scientific Information
Subjects: A ATREE Publications > G Journal Papers
Divisions: Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies Centre for Environment and Development > Forest, Governance and Livelihood
Depositing User: ATREE Bangalore
Date Deposited: 28 Aug 2024 09:17
Last Modified: 28 Aug 2024 09:17
URI: http://archives.atree.org/id/eprint/111

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item