International Research Journal of Plant Science

Documentation of wild edible fruits of north maharashtra

Sachin Dayaram Golait^1*, Shankar Laxman Laware³ and Sanjay Gajanan Auti^{2 1}Department of Botany, MSG Arts, Science and Commerce College, Malegaon, Dist. Nashik-423105, Maharashtra, India
²Mula Education Society, Arts Commerce and Science College, Sonai-414105, Tal. Newasa, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India
³Dept. of Botany, HPT Art’s and RYK Science College, Nashik-422005, Maharashtra, India
^*Corresponding Author:
Sachin Dayaram Golait, Department of Botany, MSG Arts, Science and Commerce College, Malegaon, Dist. Nashik-423105, Maharashtra, India, Email: sachingolait15@gmail.com

Received: 14-Sep-2021 Published: 29-Oct-2021, DOI: http:/dx.doi.org/10.14303/irjps.2021.29

Introduction

India is one of the twelve mega-diversity in the world. The western part of North Maharashtra falls within the Western Ghats and is considered to be tr species of wild plants. The number of wild edible plants is used by tribal and rural peoples of North Maharashtra to meet their nutritional and economical demand since from a long time. Various parts of these plants such as fruits, seeds, tubers, shoots, etc. are consumed safely by them. These plants not only provide a cheap source of food but also several other useful products like medicine, fodder, fiber, dyes, etc. Wild edible fruits contain a significant level of biologically active components and have been used as medicinal agents. Fruits are a rich source of fiber, vitamin-C, sugar, water, and many other nutrients (Moitreyee, 2015). Several types of fruits are collected from forests and sold in local markets by some tribal and rural peoples to earn the money (Kumar, 2019). Though there are many wild edible fruits in this region that fulfill the nutritional and economical demands, there is no proper method of collection, improvement, and agro- techniques for these valuable food resources. Traditional knowledge is considered to be the basis for their utilization. Presently, traditional health-related knowledge about WEPs and their uses are fastly eroding as a consequence of socio-economical and land-use changes (FAO 2020; Bhogaonkar et al., 2010). Meagre work has been done on the identification and documentation of wild edible fruit species from tribal and rural regions of North Maharashtra as per literature survey. Hence the present study was made to explore, identification and documentation of wild edible plants used by the tribal and rural communities of North Maharashtra, which will help to conserve those plants for future generations and traditional knowledge before whipping out.

Materials and Methods

Study area

This study is carried out in the North Maharashtra region, specially Nashik, Nandurbar, Dhule district. This region is situated on the northern side of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It occupies 18.65% of the total area and holds 16.53% of the total population of Maharashtra. Region contains largest 41.24% tribal population of the total tribal population of Maharashtra Aborigines are inhabited in this region such as Bhil, Bhil Garsia, Kokna, Kokni, Kukna, Dongar Koli, Gamit, Gamta, Gavit, Pardi, Warli, Tadvi, Advichincher, etc.. Most of the forest area is located in two main mountain ranges of North Maharashtra. the range of Western Ghat stretches from north to south across the western portion while the Satpura range stretches from east to west across the northern portion of North Maharashtra. The total forest area is 9.23 lakh hectares which are 16.07% of the total geographical area of the region. It consists of tropical dry deciduous forest. Temperature varies between 12oC to 46oC. Rainfall is not uniform all over the region.

Western hilly regions receive very high rainfall (2600 mm) as compared to other parts of the region (700 mm). North Maharashtra has a tropical climate, with three distinct seasons: very hot and dry summer (March-May), Monsoon (June-September), cool and dry Winter (October-February). It is rich in biodiversity and varying geographical conditions have ideal for the growth of a variety of plants of North Maharashtra. Many wild edible fruit plants existing naturally in forest, cultivated, and wastelands of the region.

Materials and Methods

Study area

This study is carried out in the North Maharashtra region, specially Nashik, Nandurbar, Dhule district. This region is situated on the northern side of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It occupies 18.65% of the total area and holds 16.53% of the total population of Maharashtra. Region contains largest 41.24% tribal population of the total tribal population of Maharashtra Aborigines are inhabited in this region such as Bhil, Bhil Garsia, Kokna, Kokni, Kukna, Dongar Koli, Gamit, Gamta, Gavit, Pardi, Warli, Tadvi, Advichincher, etc.. Most of the forest area is located in two main mountain ranges of North Maharashtra. the range of Western Ghat stretches from north to south across the western portion while the Satpura range stretches from east to west across the northern portion of North Maharashtra. The total forest area is 9.23 lakh hectares which are 16.07% of the total geographical area of the region. It consists of tropical dry deciduous forest. Temperature varies between 12oC to 46oC. Rainfall is not uniform all over the region.

Western hilly regions receive very high rainfall (2600 mm) as compared to other parts of the region (700 mm). North Maharashtra has a tropical climate, with three distinct seasons: very hot and dry summer (March-May), Monsoon (June-September), cool and dry Winter (October-February). It is rich in biodiversity and varying geographical conditions have ideal for the growth of a variety of plants of North Maharashtra. Many wild edible fruit plants existing naturally in forest, cultivated, and wastelands of the region.

Methodology

Field survey was conducted in the forest, tribal and rural areas of North Maharashtra for the period of 2017-2020. The data was collected through discussions and interviews with tribal and rural peoples. The plant specimens were collected, and identified with the help of Flora of Maharashtra, Flora of Nashik District and experts in the field of taxonomy. It was confirmed by repeated inquiries in different seasons. All the available information was documented in tabulated form with respect to their botanical name, habit, edible parts, season of availability, methods of consumption, etc Plate 1.

Statistical Analysis

Documented information was analyzed using Microsoft Excel.

Results and Discussion

WEPs resource of Nashik District

The present study documented 55 species of wild edible fruits in the study region Table 1. Several studies had done on exploring the WEPs from North Maharashtra and

the northern part of Western Ghats. Patil et al., (2000) documented 36 wild edible plants of which 13 are fruits from the Nashik district. Kshirsagar et al., (2012) recorded 46 species of WEFs in the entire Dhule, Jalgaon, Nandurbar district and bordering villages of Nashik districts of North Maharashtra. Recently Jadhav et al. (2015) presented a checklist of 159 WEPs of which 77 are fruit species from Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Kuvar & Shinde (2019) recorded 64 WEPs out of which 29 species are used as fruits by kokni tribe of the Nashik district.

The detailed analysis of their taxonomic group revealed 55 species, belong to 25 families and Cucurbitaceae and Fabaceae shared the largest proportion by consisting of 7 and 6 species respectively (Detail illustrated in the figure 3). WEFs are available in different life forms. Present study shows that largest proportion of WEF species were in the forms of trees Figure 1.

Modes of consumption

Different communities have different modes of consumption across the North Maharashtra They consumed traditionally through appropriate means of collection, preparation and preservation techniques. WEFs are consumed in various ways. Many mature fruits are consumed as raw while young fruits are consumed as vegetables and pickles. Study shows that Most of the species are eaten as raw and vegetable, etc. (Detail illustrated in the Figure 2).

Availability of WEPs

In North Maharashtra , the availability of WEFs is seen all over the year. The reason for the availability of WEPs throughout the year is, different species grow in different seasons. For example, Annona reticulate, Bridelia retusa, Morus alba produces fruits from January to March, Ziziphus rugosa, Meyna laxiflora, Carissa carandas produces fruits from April to May, Capparis zeylanica produces fruits from June to July, Momordica dioica, Cucumis setosus produces fruits from August to September, Ziziphus jujube, phyllanthus emblica, Solanum anguivi, Canavalia gladiata, Annona squamosa produces fruits from October to December, likewise one or other edible parts are available throughout the year. In this way WEPs providing a healthy source of nutrients throughout the year. The peak season of availability of WEFs is the Summer season (March to May), followed by winter and monsoon (Detail in Table 1 and Figure 4).

Table 1: List of WEF species used by tribal and rural communities of the study region.

Different Habitats

The occurrence of WEFs species of North Maharashtra was classified into seven different localities. The present study shows that the largest proportion of WEFs were found in forest. So, Forest is the home for the majority of WEF species (Figure 5).

Need of Bioprocessing

Despite the nutritional importance, most of the WEPs are underutilized due to a lack of awareness and bioprocessing techniques. Out of 55 species, the following species are sold in the local markets. These species are restricted to specific local markets only and have not been reported in the markets of urban areas (Table 1). The need is to increase the awareness towards nutritional potential of WEPs for sustainable development and empowerment of tribal regions Figures 6 &7.

Threat and Challenges to Wild Edible Fruit Species

The survey revealed several threats to wild plant species. The rapid erosion of the traditional knowledge is one of the major threat, as these knowledge is considered to be the basis for their utilization. Due to socio-economic changes younger generations are not showing interest to carry out this knowledge practically. Another threat is loss of vegetation and utilization of land for cash crops which causes loss of these valuable food resources from their natural habitat. The biggest challenges are to acquire and conserve the amorphous nature of this traditional knowledge. Lack of traditional knowledge and scientific information is depriving these plants from being used completely.

Conclusion

Present work defines diversity of wild edible fruit species across the North Maharashtra. Present data helps in the conservation and management of WEF species. Efforts are needed to create awareness towards the use of WEFs to enhance the demand. Increase demand will encourage people to increase the area under cultivation for sustainable development and empowerment of local communities.

Acknowledgement

The authors expresses his thanks to a different tribe of North Maharashtra because of their valuable contribution and hospitality above research had been concluded. The authors are grateful to Hon. Dr. Prashant Hiray General Secretary of MGV Institute Nashik, Hon. Dr. Apoorva Hiray Co-ordinator of MGV Institute Nashik, Hon. Dr. Advay Hiray Trustee of MGV institute Nashik, Dr. Dinesh Shirode Principal of MSG College Malegaon, Dr. Vishnu Suryawanshi Principal of HPT Arts and RYK Science College Nashik, Dr. Yuvraj Sonawane HOD of Botany Department MSG College Malegaon, for their incredible support. The author also special thanks to Prof. Sagar Palwe Assistant Professor MGV ASC College Surgana, Prof. Atul Wagh Assistant Professor MSG College Malegaon who gives his valuable time during research study. The author also express thanks to Mr. Chaitram Pawar Head of Baripada Gram Vikas Samitee, Baripada (Dhule), Mr. Hemant Chaudhari Surgana (Nashik) helped to get local support at the time of Field Visit.

The author also special thanks to Dr. Sharad Kambale HOD of Botany Department Arts, Commerce and Science College Tryambakeshwar, Dr. Kumar Vinod Gosavi Assistant professor and Mr. Nilesh Mahdav HPT Arts and RYK Science College Nashik for help in the identification of plants.

References

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