A dimension within Forest Foraging
Exploring the nutritional and medicinal value of edible and medicinal plants found in forests.
150 voices speak to this
Positive
Overall Community Sentiment
We get our nutritious diet from the forest, such as Mahua fruit Doli oil in the form of fat, Kodo, Bhaddi, Kulthia, Mahua flowers, Jamun, Mahua kheer, Bhaji, etc.
— Surajsingh Parmar · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh
We get various types of fruits and roots from the forest.
— Laba Kumar sabar · Bada Baridi, Rayagada, Odisha
We get various greens and various fruits from the forest.
— Laba Kumar sabar · Bada Baridi, Rayagada, Odisha
We Adivasi communities are communities that depend on nature, collect roots and tubers from the forests, and use them as food, which is very nutritious and also serves as medicine.
— Ram Kumari
From the forest, we also get many things as vegetables, such as
— Kekti Tekam
Nutritious food found in the forest: Mudhi saga, Chhati saga, Bhadbhadia saga, Koila saga, Munga saga, Ghumi saga, Tartha saga.
— Parsuram Sa · Sundargarh, Odisha
It is true that bringing vegetables and leafy greens from the forest provides nutritious food for a growing body.
— Devisingh Solanki · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh
Residents in the forest bushes have a business of various medicinal plants, and they benefit from it for food.
— Devisingh Solanki · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh
From the forest, we get leafy vegetables, tubers, mushrooms, and fruits. All these kinds of things are available.
— Laba Kumar sabar · Bada Baridi, Rayagada, Odisha
Currently, we are seeing that people are gradually obtaining the fruits, medicinal plants, greens, and nutritious food that were available in the forest.
— Ramadas Badanayak · Udulibeda, Malkangiri, Odisha
Grains and other food items are included from the forest.
— Sunita Kumari
From the forest, we collect ruguda mushrooms, mudhi saag, kuiler saag, girel flowers, bhindua kadi, and so on. If all these are nutritious foods for us, they should be included in the midday meal.
— RINA BEHERA · Hemagiri, Sundargarh, Odisha
Nutritious diet includes forest vegetables like Mocha Kolyar greens.
— Kachala Choudhary
Forest products such as Jharakunduru, Pitalu Konda, and various other types of edible forest produce are available. These also serve as food for animals and birds, and consuming them provides nourishment.
— Anirudha Marai
In the forest, there are many types of food, such as various nutritious tubers (kandha), which can be given during midday meals in schools and also protect against various diseases.
— Deepanjali Nayak
Grains, food, and foodstuffs are included from the forest.
— Sunita Kumari
Nutritious local tubers like Pitikanda, Charendakanda, and Naangalakanda, found in the forest, can be included in dishes.
— Padmalochan Majhi · Ratachua, Rayagada, Odisha
Nutritious diet from the forest: seasonal fruits, jamun, mahua, mango, charoli, jaggery, peanuts, and Shegaon vegetables.
— Surajsingh Parmar · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh
The most nutritious forest foods are Kolyar Bhaji, Mokha Ki Bhaji, Segwa, etc.
— Kachala Choudhary
Mahua flowers and other foods obtained from the forest are very nutritious. Therefore, it is appropriate to include these foods in PDS or mid-day meals.
— Anjana Khadia · Sundargarh, Odisha
In our forest, fruits, roots, leaves, flowers, and leafy vegetables grow naturally. There are no chemicals in them, and they are completely nutritious. It would be good to serve them for lunch.
— Paradeshi Mirdha · Sambalpur, Odisha
We tribal people bring herbs from the forest to treat many diseases, for the well-being of people.
— Ram Maravi · Dindori, Madhya Pradesh
By bringing the greens found in the forest, powdering them, and including them in PDS, they can be used as nutritious food.
— sudhir gamanga · Birikota, Rayagada, Odisha
Fanjan greens, Panjaniyaan greens, and Vochhateen greens from the forest are beneficial for the body.
— Devisingh Solanki · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh
Herbs of the forest
— Vinita Singh Yadav · Dharura, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh
We tribal people bring herbs from the forest and treat ailments, which is very important for health.
— Ram Maravi · Dindori, Madhya Pradesh
Our fathers and grandfathers were healthy and strong by eating plenty of nutritious food from the forest, such as Mahua, Tol, Bhadbhadiya Saag, Mamer Saag, Leper Saag, and Karadi.
— Paradeshi Mirdha · Sambalpur, Odisha
People in the village bring herbs from the jungle and eat them for their health, which is very beneficial or advantageous.
— Ram Maravi · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh
We are getting all kinds of seasonal produce from the forest.
— Laba Kumar sabar · Lamingi, Rayagada, Odisha
Mahuwa seeds, herbs, Pohri, and Putu Lakh are brought from the forest.
— Kekti Tekam
Vitamin food in the forest. Katukola berries were found. These are Banasula, tea, Kendu.
— Dhananjaya Harpal · Sargigora, Kalahandi, Odisha
We can use muIdim found in the forest as traditional medicine.
— Anupama Mahanand · Sundargarh, Odisha
Listeners bring greens, wood, Pohri, and pootu from the forest.
— Kekti Tekam
Our fathers and grandfathers were healthy and strong by consuming plenty of nutritious food from the forest, such as Mahua, Tola, Bhadabhadia greens, Mamer greens, Leper greens, and bamboo shoots.
— Paradeshi Mirdha · Sambalpur, Odisha
In the forest, we find greens, wild tubers, mushrooms, fruits, and roots of all kinds in every season.
— Laba Kumar sabar · Bada Baridi, Rayagada, Odisha
We indigenous people used to eat roots and tubers from the forests and sustained ourselves with them. These also served as medicine, keeping our bodies healthy. Even today, we should use roots and tubers.
— Ram Kumari · Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh
The edible items found in the forest are Kendu, Chaar, and Mahua, which
— Vijay Kumar bhardwaj · Kasdol, Baloda Bazar, Chhattisgarh
Before, we used to eat saag roti, kurthi dal, urad dal, and mahua saag. Sometimes we would find amla and bael from the forest, and that's how we used to sustain our lives.
— Ram Kumari · Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh
They collect mushrooms and ghuhaar greens from the forests and prepare them as vegetables to eat, and within that same group.
— MANNOO LAL BHOI · Kasdol, Baloda Bazar, Chhattisgarh
Tungemasha, potatoes, and Panikonda are all found in the forest. If Panikonda is included in PDS and mid-day meals, then children will remain healthy by getting nutritious food.
— Basanti · Dashapalla, Nayagarh, Odisha
AI-synthesised pieces woven from many community voices on this theme. They may contain errors or interpretation — they're a reflection of the stories, not a record of fact.

By cherishing and utilizing the traditional foods and herbs found in our forests and lands, we can sustain ourselves and combat malnutrition while preserving our natural heritage.

Drawing strength from ancient customs and the jungle's bounty, our community thrives by living independently and preserving traditional foodways for future generations.

In remote mountain forests, a community navigates daily life, preserving ancient crops and adapting cultural traditions amidst evolving times.

By integrating diverse farming practices with deep knowledge of local forest foods, we ensure our community's sustenance and future well-being.