Usage of Wild Edible Plants Among Upland Indigenous Communities of Northeastern States of India

Abstract

The use of wild plants as food is an integral part of the culture and tradition of many indigenous communities around the world. These wild plants are the precious gift of our nature, and most ethnic communities depend on them for their day-to-day life. There are about 800 different species of wild edible plants (WEPs) in India, of which 300 species are used mostly by the tribal and rural population of the Northeastern region alone. Wild plants as food constitute a significant portion of the daily diet among the people of the Northeast region. Such edible plants obtained from the wild occupy a significant place among the indigenous community and are found to play an important role in supplementing the diet of rural people. These wild edible resources are to be explored in such a manner so that tribal people can get their due share as they have conserved it over the centuries based on their traditional knowledge. The Northeast region of India falls in the global hotspot of biodiversity, whereas WEPs have high potential. Its usage is much visible in their traditional foods and rituals. A comprehensive assessment covering six hilly states of the region, the present study indicated that the majority of these plants have high value and maximum usage of wild resources as food. With the view of reducing the gap in traditional knowledge and tapping the potential hidden resources for proper utilization, exploitation, and sustainable management of WEPs are crucial. The study discusses these issues in-depth and suggests biodiversity-based intervention to sustain the livelihood, nutritional security, and economic prosperity of the people in the NE region.