Utilization of wild vegetables in Dapoli Taluka of Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra

Abstract

Wild plants make an important contribution to the life of rural communities. These plants have been used as a source of food, fodder, shelter, clothing, medicine and a veriety of useful commodities from ancient time. Rural communities include wild edibles in their daily food intake and sales from the surplus add to their income. Importance of wild edible vegetables in food security has not been given sufficient attention in India. The present investigations were carried out with the objective to explore, identify, document and study the ethno-botany with respect to food value of wild edible plants consumed by local communities in Dapoli Taluka of Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. In the study, total 29 species of wild vegetables belonging to 21 families were documented. Life forms indicated that herbs were dominating (48.29%) followed by shrubs (24.13%), climbers (17.24%) and trees (10.34%). Average consumption of wild vegetables by respondents in study area was found as 51.43 days in a year. Per family utilization of wild vegetables for one time food was reported as 369.31 g. However Clerodendrum serratum was most demanding vegetable preferred and consumed by local people. In a year, amount saved on purchase of vegetables was calculated Rs 1,126.70 per family.