Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
There are a large number of sacred groves in Kumaon Himalaya where grows a huge variety of wild edible plants valued for medico-nutritional needs. Present research was carried out in four famous sacred groves of Kumaon. The purpose of the study is to document the wild edible plants found in the sacred groves along with the associated indigenous knowledge for different medicinal purposes. The research is based on extensive and frequent field surveys using semi-structured questionnaires, group discussions and personal interviews. The most utilized plant parts were fruits (90%) followed by bark (40%) and flowers (30%). The WEPs were used to treat various ailments like asthma, diarrhoea, jaundice, urinary disorders etc. Myrica esculenta is found to be the most important WEP with maximum number of phyotchemicals (19%) followed by Berberis asiatica and Pyrus pashia with 14% and 13% respectively. It is concluded that wild edible fruits and berries are essential for supplying nourishment, to ensure food security and choice of living in the Himalayan region. Consequently, some of the species are being used on a large scale and are thought to be capable of offering alternative means of subsistence to the marginal groups of community residing in remote areas.