Myrica esculenta: potential wild resource needs conservation priority in Indian Himalayan Region

Abstract

The western Himalaya is well known for rich and diverse natural bio-resources but many valuable resources are still unutilized. In order to utilize such natural resources particularly wild edibles, it is important that resources can be harnessed efficiently to meet the requirement of local peoples for their economic development with sustainable manner. Although, wild edible bioresources have been complementing the food security to traditional societies for centuries in the Himalayan region. Unfortunately these valuable wild edibles are not given much priority by main stream societies, scientists, policy makers and food & medicine processing industries. Increased interest in harnessing the potential of wild edibles is the result of growing knowledge about these and consequently shifts in development paradigms. Now wild bioresources are being viewed as untapped or less utilized resources that could play a significant role in the development of horticulture industries, livelihood option and nutritional security. Therefore, the policy makers and agencies working in the region are need to give proper consideration to the wild edible plants for their wide in-situ production and development through due emphasis on genetic improvement, mass scale propagation and plantation and awareness on proper utilization and sustainable harvesting.