The traditional dependence on wild edible plants (WEP) is natural for the tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh. The rich flora and dense vegetation a.most in all regions of the state provide numerous such edible plants.The people of Tangsa tribal community living in the Kharsan Circle of Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. A study among them led to the record of 51 species of wild plants of which 36 species are dicotyledonous, 13 are monocotyledonous and one species each from gymnosperms and pteridophytes. These are dominated by herbaceous plants and leaves and leafy-young shoots are the most preferred plants parts to eat. While majority of the plant parts they consume after cooking, they also prepare chatneys and pickles. While just one plant part is eaten for 45 species, three parts (leaves, strobilus and seeds) of Gnetum gnemon and two parts of five other species (Begonia roxburghii, Calamus tenuis, Physalis minima, Salacca secunda and Spondias pennata) are edible.In addition to their food value, some of these plants are also used as medicine, for thatching, handicrafts, etc. However, many of these wild-harvests are also sold in local temporary markets.Assessment of the population structure is to be done immediately and proper conservation strategies need to be developed and implemented for their sustainable harvest and use.Pleione 12(2): 151 -164. 2018.

Tangsa community of Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India, practices a unique tea processing technique producing a traditional tea product locally known as 'Phalap' or 'Felap' for daily consumption and they believe it to be anti-cancerous and anti-diabetic. A field survey and interview on the age old Phalap preparation was conducted from the local people using semi-structured questionnaire. It was found that Phalap was in use by Tangsa since their unknown past and is found to be mentioned even in their folklores. The detail methods for processing of Phalap has been reflected in this article.

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