Diversity of Some Important Wild Edible Plants of Kumaun Uttarakhand: A Review

Abstract

Plants are the invaluable, incredible and traditional sources for the curability of various diseases in the form of medicines. Wild food plants, particularly wild fruits, have been an important element in the dietary traditions since the beginning of human civilization. The consumption of locally grown species is gaining an increasing interest, which also gives an important contribution to local communities’ health and welfare. In addition, wild fruits contain higher amounts of nutrients and bioactive compounds than many cultivated species. Fruits play at potential role in uplifting the economic condition as well as providing the food security to the local people. The tribal population stores a vast knowledge on utilization of local plants as food and other specific uses. Uttarakhand has very rich biodiversity also its diverse geographical area attract many people towards it in tourism. Wild edible fruit plants have traditionally occupied an important position in the socio-cultural, spiritual and health area of rural and tribal lives. Because in Uttarakhand theses wild fruits helps in health benefits many of them have medicinal importance, also theses fruits are part of source of income.