Wild Edible Plants Used by the Tribes of Panvel and Uran Tahsils in Alibaugh District, India: Ethnobotanical Application and Tribal Recipes

Abstract

The “Indus-Vedic” cultural heritage of India is well-known. Wild edible plants, sometimes known as weeds, are widely consumed in India’s varied areas. Wild edible plants and weeds are essential for tribes’ survival, both as a source of food and as a source of money, such as timber. This study aims to identify wild vegetables collected for ethnomedical purposes and their recipes by the local people, as well as determine the local uses and names of these plants, with the goal of closing the gap in traditional knowledge regarding the utility of wild plant species and tapping the hidden potential resources for proper utilization, exploitation, and nutritive evaluation. A field research study was conducted two years 2020-2021. 34 wild vegetable plant specimens were collected during this time. The names of the plants found in the area, as well as the parts that were used and how they were prepared, were examined and recorded. This type of extensive survey technique could assist aspiring scientists in learning about the health advantages of wild food plants and weeds, which can subsequently be combined to generate successful crop plants. Such a system will benefit in the mitigation of food shortages, the regeneration of infertile lands, and the enhancement of rural economies.