Articles
Studies on survey, diversity, evaluation and traditional use of wild edibles of Himalayas
Article number
1297_7
Pages
43 – 50
Language
English
Abstract
The Himalayas are considered one of the major hot spots of plant diversity in India.
A large number of wild edible plants have been cultivated since time immemorial; in such areas.
Wild fruit plants play a crucial role in livelihoods and nutritional security of the local population in hilly regions.
These wild resources have tremendous potential to mitigate the challenges of climate change, irrigation water crises and utilization of poor degraded lands etc.
Such plants have excellent ability to tolerate, both biotic and abiotic stresses.
Various parts of these plants are used in traditional systems of medicines, such as Ayurveda and Siddha, etc., for curing numerous chronic diseases and disorders.
Enormous ethnobotanical knowledge is available on these plants; however, this knowledge is eroding day by day.
Keeping the above in mind, the Defense Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out an extensive survey and studies on underutilized fruit crops of the Himalayan regions of India, with the aim of identifying potential genotypes, evaluation and conservation of valuable genetic diversity, scientific propagation, cultivation and utilization of these resources to develop future fruits of the Himalayas.
Based on these studies, DRDO has identified Pyrus pashia (Mehal), Myrica esculenta (Kaphal), Rubus ellepticus (Hisalu), Berberis aristata (Kilmora), Rhododendron arboreum (Buransh), Punica granatum (Darim), Hippophae spp. (Seabuckthorn), Ficus palmate (Bedu), Cratagus crenulata (Hawthorn), etc. as potential crops for the future as they possess nutritive and/or nutraceutical properties.
Based on the initial studies of these crops, techniques were standardized for their scientific propagation to conserve the diversity and boost the availability of quality planting material for commercial cultivation.
Field gene banks have been established in different zones of the Himalayan regions to conserve the valuable diversity and support the future breeding program.
Efforts have also been made to develop methods for their commercial cultivation.
In order to minimize the wastage of perishable fruits growing in remote hilly regions, value adding technologies have been developed.
The immediate need is to provide policy support such as setting up modern nurseries and boost the plantations by adding these crops to government schemes.
Furthermore, support is required in establishing the primary processing centers in remote hilly regions to tap the resources and generate entrepreneurship among the local youth.
A large number of wild edible plants have been cultivated since time immemorial; in such areas.
Wild fruit plants play a crucial role in livelihoods and nutritional security of the local population in hilly regions.
These wild resources have tremendous potential to mitigate the challenges of climate change, irrigation water crises and utilization of poor degraded lands etc.
Such plants have excellent ability to tolerate, both biotic and abiotic stresses.
Various parts of these plants are used in traditional systems of medicines, such as Ayurveda and Siddha, etc., for curing numerous chronic diseases and disorders.
Enormous ethnobotanical knowledge is available on these plants; however, this knowledge is eroding day by day.
Keeping the above in mind, the Defense Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out an extensive survey and studies on underutilized fruit crops of the Himalayan regions of India, with the aim of identifying potential genotypes, evaluation and conservation of valuable genetic diversity, scientific propagation, cultivation and utilization of these resources to develop future fruits of the Himalayas.
Based on these studies, DRDO has identified Pyrus pashia (Mehal), Myrica esculenta (Kaphal), Rubus ellepticus (Hisalu), Berberis aristata (Kilmora), Rhododendron arboreum (Buransh), Punica granatum (Darim), Hippophae spp. (Seabuckthorn), Ficus palmate (Bedu), Cratagus crenulata (Hawthorn), etc. as potential crops for the future as they possess nutritive and/or nutraceutical properties.
Based on the initial studies of these crops, techniques were standardized for their scientific propagation to conserve the diversity and boost the availability of quality planting material for commercial cultivation.
Field gene banks have been established in different zones of the Himalayan regions to conserve the valuable diversity and support the future breeding program.
Efforts have also been made to develop methods for their commercial cultivation.
In order to minimize the wastage of perishable fruits growing in remote hilly regions, value adding technologies have been developed.
The immediate need is to provide policy support such as setting up modern nurseries and boost the plantations by adding these crops to government schemes.
Furthermore, support is required in establishing the primary processing centers in remote hilly regions to tap the resources and generate entrepreneurship among the local youth.
Authors
S.K. Dwivedi, B. Ballabh, R. Singh, S.K. Joshi, A. Bora
Keywords
wild edible, Himalayas, future fruits, traditional uses, India
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