Wild edible food plants consumed by the shepherds during migration in the mid hills of Shimla and Sirmour districts (HP) of the Western Himalayas.

Wild edible food plants consumed by the shepherds during migration in the mid hills of Shimla and Sirmour districts (HP) of the Western Himalayas.

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Wild edible plants (WEP) play a very important role in providing stable and supplemented food and also the source of income to local communities providing food security during lean periods. The present study was conducted in 11 villages covering the Chamoli and Rudraprag district of Uttarakhand. The information was collected through structured ques...

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... Their settlements are located on higher reaches of NW Himalayas in the close vicinity of forests and thus these forest dwelling tribes are geographically and culturally isolated from rest of the world. Gaddis, Sippis and other tribes rely on a good number of WEPs for meeting their dietary requirement Radha et al. 2018;) and the consumption of forest foods is the cultural heritage of Gaddi and Sippi tribes of the study area. ...
... Nine (8 species cooked as vegetable and one species eaten raw) wild edible mushrooms are consumed by Gaddi and Sippi tribes. These results are well within the range of 5 to 41 fungal species reported from Bhaderwah, JKUT, India (Kumar and Sharma 2011), Yunnan, China (Liu et al. 2018), Armenia (Nanagulyan et al. 2020), Aegadian Islands (La Rosa et al. 2021), and Jammu, JKUT, India (Sharma et al. 2022).The number of wild fungus consumed by Gaddi and Sippi tribes is much higher than that of other tribes, who either do not consume wild edible fungi at all (Rana et al. 2012;Dangwal et al. 2014;Singh and Bedi 2019) or have reported only one Radha et al. 2018) or two species ). ...
... Diplazium esculentum, Diplazium frondosum, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus viridis, Chenopodium album, and Malva sylvestris were the most preferred vegetables of Doda district. Consumption of these vegetables has also been reported in other parts of the Himalayas Bhatia et al. 2018;Radha et al. 2018;Devi 2020;). Fronds of Diplazium esculentum have good nutritive value (3413.2 ...
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Background: Consumption of Wild edible plants (WEPs) is a cultural heritage of tribal and other rural communities. WEPs have a vital role to play not only in ensuring nutritional security and combating malnutrition but also in meeting medicinal requirements, income generation for these communities, and crop improvement through plant breeding programmes. The present study was conducted with the objective of documenting traditional knowledge and practices of utilizing WEPs by Gaddi and Sippi tribes of Doda district of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (JKUT). Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in five villages of Doda district (JKUT) inhabited by Gaddi and Sippi tribes. The random sampling method was used for the selection of informants. The data was collected through interviews and focused group discussion with the informants as per semi-structured schedules. The uses of WEPs were recorded as use-reports, and culture importance value (CI) and factor informant consensus (Fic) were calculated from these values. Results: A total of 77 species spread across 58 genera and 39 families were reported by 203 informants (148 males and 55 females). Angiosperms represented by 63 species were the major source of forest foods followed by 9 fungal species. WEPs with the highest number of species were vegetables (34 species), and fruits and nutraceuticals (27 species each). The most important species on the basis of CI were Geopora arenicola (Lev.) Kers. (CI = 0.66), Geopora sumneriana (Cooke) M. Torre. (0.60), Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw. (0.56), Diplazium frondosum C. Chr. (0.54), and Mentha arvensis C. Presl. (0.52). Values of F­ic ranged between 0.91 (nutraceuticals) and 0.99 (cooked WEPs). The knowledge of WEPs significantly increased with age and decreased with education level of the informants. Conclusions: The Gaddi and Sippi tribes are utilizing a good number of WEPs, and more importantly they exchange this information among themselves. As far as future prospects of this study are concerned, nutritional and nutraceutical properties of species like Anethum sowa, Arisaema propinquum, Diplazium frondosum, Dipsacus inermis, Elaeagnus umbellate, Elwendia persica, Geopora sumneriana, Impatiens glandulifera, Morchella crassipes, Morchella conica, Prinsepia utilis, Sageretia thea, Solanum villosum, Thymus mongolicus, and Ziziphus oxyphylla may be studied to make them popular amongst masses. Keywords: Ethnobotany; Fungi; Gaddi and Sippi tribes; wild edible plants.
... WEPs are important for the people living in rural areas (Jadhav, 2011). Rural inhabitants who mainly include herders, shepherds, utilize undomesticated vegetation generally for their living standard (Radha et al., 2018). India is the second largest human population's country with more than 75% the resident's lives in the rural areas relying on wild wealth to meet their dietary requirements (Rashid, 2008). ...
... In the Alaknanda Valley in India's Garhwal Himalaya, 55 plants identified and were eaten uncooked as well as cooked as vegetables (Tiwari et al., 2010). Similarly, 50 plant species were employed as ethnomedicinal (Rani et al., 2013), and 50 edible plants were employed by shepherds' (Radha et al., 2018). The Gaddis depend on food plants that grow general in the lands forest region. ...
... WEPs are important for the people living in rural areas (Jadhav, 2011). Rural inhabitants who mainly include herders, shepherds, utilize undomesticated vegetation generally for their living standard (Radha et al., 2018). India is the second largest human population's country with more than 75% the resident's lives in the rural areas relying on wild wealth to meet their dietary requirements (Rashid, 2008). ...
... In the Alaknanda Valley in India's Garhwal Himalaya, 55 plants identified and were eaten uncooked as well as cooked as vegetables (Tiwari et al., 2010). Similarly, 50 plant species were employed as ethnomedicinal (Rani et al., 2013), and 50 edible plants were employed by shepherds' (Radha et al., 2018). The Gaddis depend on food plants that grow general in the lands forest region. ...
... The shepherds move in a group of their own family members. The shepherds also take along with them few horses (hardy local breeds) for carrying provisions and tents (Radha et al., 2018). Often few dogs also accompany the shepherds, these dogs are trained to keep the flock together. ...
Article
The present study deals with the ethnomedicines used by migratory shepherds in an Indian Trans-Himalayan area. Shepherding depends on traditional healthcare practices. A non-probabilistic sampling technic was used for the selection of the research participants; the information was collected through 8 extensive field visits. The data was analyzed by the interpretation of the interviews since a qualitative as well as quantitative perspectives. A comparison with previous studies in the area was donebased on literature research.The results of this study show that shepherds in tribal areas are highly dependent on medicinal plants, they report the use of 58 taxa to handle their main health problems. They prefer 20 taxa, to treat; coughs, asthma, colds, throat complaints, general pain, fever, dysentery, diarrhea and urinary infections, which are the main reported illnesses. Mainly they use the fresh plant juices of these taxa. Two health issues are remarkable highblood pressure and jaundice.
... It is a known fact that, since ancient times, poor people depend on wild edible plants for their food, which not only contribute essential nutrients but also meet the energy requirements of poor, especially tribal communities (Kumar et al., 2021;Singh et al., 2021). Thus, nowadays, there has been a lot of interest among the scientific community to evaluate and explore the potential of natural edibles used by tribes (Dangwal et al., 2014;Seal et al., 2017;Sunil & Sanjeev, 2018;Datta et al., 2019;Kumar et al., 2020;Singh et al., 2022). ...
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Nowadays it is generally accepted that medicinal plants play a crucial role in traditional healthcare operations, providing hints to new research fields, and biodiversity protection is now well recognized. However, there is a lack of information on the medicinal uses of plants in many of the Himalayan interior regions. In light of this, the current investigation was initiated in the tribally dominant western Himalayan hinterland. The current study examined five underutilized wild edible plants, including Allium rubellum, Berberis chitria, Berberis chitrium, Capsella bursa–pastoris, Stellaria aquatic, and Rheum emodi for their nutritional qualities, phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity that are consumed as food by the Gaddi community of Bharmour region of District Chamba Himachal Pradesh. In this study, the nutritional makeup of these plants was examined in terms of their carbohydrate, protein, sodium, potassium, crude fiber, and fat content. As compared to other investigated species, A. rubellum has the highest nutritional content such as carbohydrate (6.93mg/g), protein (10.18mg/g), sodium (3.21mg/g), potassium (16.32mg/g) and fiber (6.46%). In addition, phenols, amino acids, tannins, terpenoids, carotenoids, and phytate were found to be the least significant phytochemicals in R. emodi i.e. 4.81mg/g, 0.594mg/g, 2.204mg/g, 1.482mg/g, 156μg/g, and 0.680%, respectively. Methanolic extract of these wild edible plants showed significant free radical scavenging activity by using ABTS and DPPH assay. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract of studied plants based on the present study suggested that R. emodi exhibits a maximum zone of inhibition of 20.8mm against E. coli whereas S. aquatica showed a maximum inhibition zone against S. aureus i.e.19.2mm. The findings of this study validated that these wild edible plants are an alternate source of medicine and are abundant sources of various phytochemicals like protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, etc. These compositions offer dietary benefits, food security, health benefits, and therapeutic advantages. Hence, in the current study, it was analyzed that there is an urgent need for documentation, conservation, characterization, and evaluation of these underutilized plants for their therapeutic purpose and nutritional supplements.
... Altogether, 58 WEPs were utilized in the study area. These values are well within the range of 32-72 WEPs reported from Jammu and Kashmir Dangwal et al. 2014;Singh et al. 2021), other parts of Indian Himalayas (Aryal et al. 2018;Radha et al. 2018;, Nepal Himalayas (Bhattarai et al. 2009;Uprety et al. 2012;Khakurel et al. 2021), and the World (Alemnah 2020; Hegazy et al. 2020;Purba and Silalahi, 2021;Ahmad et al. 2022). However, some studies have reported very high number of WEPs in their studies; 335 WEPs were identified from Hunan, China (Zou et al. 2011), 173 WEPs from Xishuanbanna valley, China (Ghorbani et al. 2012), 159 WEPs from Heihe valley, China (Kang et al. 2012), 111 WEPs from Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir, India (Singh et al. 2016), 90 WEPs from Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, India (Bhatia et al. 2018), 117 WEPs from Uzbekistan (Khojimatov et al. 2020), and 130 plants from Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir, India (Thakur and Dutt 2020). ...
Article
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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.
... Hence Gaddi tribe is a semi nomadic tribe. (Radha et al., 2018;Bhasin, 2008) [16,3] . They spend most of their time in the forests and pastures by virtue of their occupation and are thus closely associated with the nature and natural products. ...
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This research paper seeks to examine the Traditional Handloom weaving practice among the Gaddi Scheduled Tribe of Jammu and Kashmir. This work is based on primary data collected during survey in six Gaddi inhabited villages of Bhaderwah valley of Jammu and Kashmir. Frequent field visits were conducted to the study area for collection of data from January to May 2021. The data was collected about different woollen products made by Gaddi tribe, different traditional tools used for making woollen products, different plant species used for making these tools and allied information. The information was collected from a total of 60 respondents belonging to Gaddi tribe from 6 villages. Gaddis are highly skilled in making traditional woollen products at home which, inter alia, include their traditional costume and blankets. A total of 13 woollen products were made by Gaddis out of which 8 products viz. chola, dora, unala coat, unali baskaat, unalakurta, unali suthan, topi and jarabe comprised their ethnic and traditional costume which is their cultural identity. Three different types of woollen blankets viz. chitru/kambal, chadar and fadki were also made by Gaddis.13 different traditional tools used by Gaddi tribe of study area for making woollen products have also been documented in the present study. These tools are khaddi, naal, taharnethi, aeirnoti, charkha, therka (aeti bala), therka (dagdu bala), jandri, kaanghi (motti), Kaanghi (nikki), unsaan, konkdi and kaat. These traditional tools are made from 10 different locally growing plant species belonging to 9 genera and 8 families (Table 1). The maximum number of plant species belongs to family pinaceae (3 sps.). The largest number of tools were made from Cedrus deodara (8) followed by Fraxinus excelsior (6) and Aesculus indica, Pinus wallichiana and Quercus floribunda (4 each). The results of the study reveal that gaddis of Bhaderwah are highly skilled in making woollen products by using traditional handloom.
... Fortunately, the Himalayas are known for rich biodiversity, especially for wild edible plants, which play an important role in meeting food demands. e rural inhabitants who mainly comprise of herders, shepherds, or other marginalized population use wild plants frequently for their livelihood [2]. e need is to understand the biodiversity for resource management of the Himalaya. ...
... Similarly from Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, 50 plant species of which 23 are herbs, 13 were trees, 2 were climbers, and 12 shrubs were used as ethno medicinal [4]. 50 species were used as wild edible plants which are in shepherds' route from high hills to low hills in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh [2]. ...
Article
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A survey of wild edible plants of Gaddi tribes of Himachal Pradesh was carried out in Chamba and Kangra districts of Himachal Pradesh located in Western Himalayas. The inhabitants subsisted primarily on pastoralism and agriculture and have traditional knowledge on wild edible plants. A total of 49 edible plants belonging to 24 families were recorded in the study area. These were commonly used as vegetables, fruits, spices, and chutney. Nearly half of the species belong to Polygonaceae and Rosaceae families. Herbs, shrubs, climbers, and trees form the habit of these plants. The highest proportion of edible species were herbs (29) followed by trees (10), shrubs (8), climber (1), and Morchella esculenta (fungi) (1).
Chapter
Various ethnic folks in India are well known for their indigenous knowledge toward nutrition, medicine, and other applications (serving, packaging, folk arts, and others). Among such attributes, several plant leaves have unique cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic significance as a potential source for ethnic food, ethnic medicine, and other traditionally valued customs. Rural dwellers are habituated to use various plant leaves either as raw or processed as vegetables (boiling, steaming, blanching, pressure-cooking, and stir-frying), medicinal (extract, paste, decoction, and soup), and for other purposes (serving food, wrapping food, food processing, and food storage; dining plates, bowls, trays, and cover to cook different steam-based foods). Owing to the changing time and modern lifestyle, these traditional practices are disappearing and occupied by modern practices (fast food, plastics, and other recalcitrant materials). Considering essence, aroma, fragrance, bioactive components, and biodegradability, the plant leaves are immensely valuable as nutritional sources, in combating lifestyle diseases and substantial prevention of environmental pollution. The present chapter emphasizes the value of various leaves of plant origin from different parts of the Indian subcontinent as nutritional, medicinal, and other utility in day-to-day life.