World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

DIVERSITY, INDIGENOUS USES AND UTILIZATION PATTERN OF WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF CENTRAL HIMACHAL PRADESH, NORTH WESTERN HIMALAYA

Pooja Kumari* and S. S. Samant

ABSTRACT

Wild plants and their edible parts such as fruits, leaves, flowers, tubers, roots, rhizomes, etc. are natures gift to mankind while providing various nutrients. It also plays a significant role in the socio-economic upliftment of the rural communities living in the Himalayas. Present study was conducted to document the diversity, indigenous use and utilization pattern of wild edibles in the Central Himachal Pradesh, which is a veritable emporium of economically important plants. Total 92 wild edibles were recorded in which 41 species were native to Himalaya and 53 species were non-native. Dominant species were herbs with 39.13%, followed by tree (31.52%) and shrubs (28.26%). Among the part used fruits (44 spp.), leaves (27 spp.), seeds (11 spp.), root and bark (06 spp. each), whole plants (05 spp.) and bulbs (02 spp.) were the major parts. It was also found that Angelica glauca species i.e., endemic and 10 other species found were near endemic to the Indian Himalayan Region. Sustainable harvesting methods, nurseries for quality planting material, ex-situ and in-situ conservation involving locals and forest department has been suggested for conservation of these resources. Further, processing of these wild edibles for fulfilling nutrients demand and livelihood generation of the locals while creating small scale industries is also recommended.

[Full Text Article]   [Download Certificate]