Survey of Wild Edible Mushrooms in Darma Valley, Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand

Wild edible mushrooms (WEM) form an important component of the dietary needs of the traditional people. A preliminary survey was conducted in the Darma valley, inhabited by the Rung sub-tribe, practicing a transhumant mode of sustenance. Exploitation of WEM is carried out in their summer homes, during the interim period from June-August. Altogether 19 species were identified as edible from the broad landscape, encompassing 6 villages. However, the inhabitants harvested only 9 species- for their consumption. The present study presents data about the quantity of the WEM harvested; the traditional knowledge base as to the medicinal uses of some of the species; and the mycorrhizal association of the species with the above-ground vegetation.Of significance are the 12 species, which exhibit mycorrhizal association with Abies spectabilis, while another 3 species exhibiting mycorrhizal association with Betula utilis. Apart from Ganoderma sp. and Morchella esculenta, none of the other species harvested is marketed. The paper highlights the conservation aspect of wild mushrooms, as well as probable methodologies for sustainable harvesting of the WEM.