Plant Science Research, Vol. 41, 2019

Contribution of wild edible plants to the food security, dietary diversity and livelihood of tribal people of Keonjhar district, Odisha

Edible wild plants (EWPs) refer to both indigenous and naturalized exotic plants occurring in the natural environment. These plants form an important source of supplementary food in the times of food stress for native communities. They provide sustainable livelihood, food security and also play an important role in nutritional requirement of the poor tribal people of Odisha. Keonjhar district of Odisha, dominated by tribal population, occupies an important place in the mineral resource map of Eastern India and excessive mining activities have been responsible for considerable depletion of biological resources, which affect the livelihood of the poor local people. The field survey conducted during the year 2016-18 in Keonjhar district of Odisha recorded the use value of 160 species of wild edible plants belonging to 119 genera and 63 families. This includes 80 species yielding edible fruits, 75 species used as leafy vegetables, 22 species bearing edible flowers, 8 species producing edible tubers and 12 species with edible seeds. Some plants are found to have multiple use values. The study will help in generating information on diversity, distribution, utilitarian values, socio-economic potential and conservation implications of wild edible plants.