Wild edible fruits and vegetables of Himachal Pradesh

Food has been central to human biological and socio-cultural existence, providing energy and nutrition. During the food scarcity or food famine these sources of nutrients and health-promoting compounds have received high importance mainly in rural and suburban areas. Wild edible plants serve as a good source of essential nutrients. Being a high nutrition potential, these herbs are linked with the health and nutritional security of people. By consuming these wild edibles, they may fulfill the daily requirement of nutrients of State's people. The present study was designed to document the wild edible fruits and vegetables of Himachal Pradesh. The data was collected through interviews, discussions and personal observations. The study revealed, total of 80 species were identified belonging to 68 genera from 48 families with information about ethnobotanical uses and traditional cuisines. Most of the fruits are eaten raw or when ripened and vegetables are consumed as seasonal vegetable (solo or mixed) and cooked as Saag or Bhaji. Some of them also have a good market potential thus are also connected with the economy of people. However, importance of these natural nutritional rich herbs is diminishing in the youths or modern people therefore, there is urgent need to popularize and conserve these plants.