ArticleJournal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine2026
Ethnobotanical knowledge of wild edible plants for empowering food and nutritional security in the Garo Hills, India.
Article in Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundWild edible plants (WEPs), which were once integral to the food, nutrition, and cultural resilience of indigenous communities, are now increasingly marginalized and understudied. This study documented their diversity, traditional knowledge, and conservation priorities in the Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India.
methodsEthnobotanical surveys were conducted from October 2022 to June 2025 across 42 villages in the Garo Hills, Meghalaya. Data from 126 informants were collected using purposive and snowball sampling through semi-structured interviews, free listing, focus group discussions, and market surveys. Ethnobotanical indices (RFC, CI, RI, ICF), four-cell analysis, and IUCN assessments were applied to evaluate cultural importance, use diversity, and conservation status.
resultsStudy documented 145 WEPs (105 genera, 58 families). Fruits (67 spp.) were the most consumed part (67 species), followed by shoots and leaves, with trees (57 spp.) constituting the common growth habit, followed by shrubs (30), herbs (28), and vines (23). Knowledge transmission was predominantly vertical, with women over 40 and elders over 60 years identified as key custodians. WEPs were utilized in seven major food categories, encompassing 121 traditional recipes and 30 value-added products, primarily including pickles, wines, and chips, produced by local enterprises. Ethnobotanical indices highlighted Bamboo spp. and Artocarpus heterophyllus as culturally important species, with high consensus for seasoning, snacks, and vegetables. Four-cell analysis (FCA) classified 48 species as rare (small area, small population), and the IUCN assessment listed five as Vulnerable and two as Near Threatened, with 55 Not Evaluated species needing urgent assessment.
conclusionsIntegrating value addition, community-led conservation, and policy support can strengthen WEPs role in climate-resilient agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and rural livelihoods. Overall, this study highlights the significance of strategic promotion, commercialization, and protection of WEPs as a means to protect the rich biocultural heritage and improve food and nutrition security at the regional and global scale.
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