DIVERSITY AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF SOME WILD EDIBLE FRUITS USED BY RURAL COMMUNITIES OF DISTRICT MANDI, HIMACHAL PRADESH

1. Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla-5. 2. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Retd.), Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, India. 3. Professor (Retd.) and Guest Teaching Faculty, Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla-5. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 05 May 2020 Final Accepted: 10 June 2020 Published: July 2020

Wild fruits have a significant role in giving sustenance and are rich source of nutrition. Regardless of their therapeutic potential, they are the source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and fiber. The best thing about the wild fruits is that they are simply natural and accessible during their season only. That is the reason the wild fruits are eaten as a major aspect of convention and are profoundly valued and sought after. The present study reveals the ethnobotanical exploration, identification and future potentialities of the wild edible fruits consumed by the folklore of Mandi district. Twenty species belonging to sixteen genera and twelve families, Rosaceae being dominant are reported. These wild fruits contain unique medicinal properties and certain phytochemicals and are used traditionally to cure various ailments like cough, fever, diabetes, weakness, indigestion and so on. These wild resources demand stipulated attention for their conservation and management. The utilization of these wild resources in commercial food products can improve their nutritional value and can open the scopes for the development of neutraceuticals.

Introduction:-
Wild plants are an integral part of the diet of humans since most primitive civilizations. Consuming wild edibles is part of the food habits of people in many societies and intimately connected to virtually all aspects of their sociocultural, spiritual life and health (Singh A,2006). Our ancestors selected some wild species over others for their unique attributes and chose the ones which fit into their needs in daily life like food, medicine, fuel, fodder, agricultural tools, furniture and house building and other purposes. These wild plants have proven their ability as supplementary food during scarcity periods and cure against minor ailments in the times of human history. Himachal Pradesh, a hilly state in the North Western Himalaya is rich in its biological diversity and about 90% population reside in the rural areas (Census, 2011). Most rural people are dependent on the forests and their products to meet their daily requirements. Collection of fruits from forests is an age old practice in the State and is still prevailing as a routine and culture among folklores. The wild fruits are either consumed raw or cooked and in the form of processed products like pickles, jams, juices and Chutney. These wild fruits are not only the source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and fiber but have unique medicinal properties as well. Many households in the State are dependent upon the wild fruits for their income as well. Some wild fruits have magico religious significance as well. The fruit 133 collected from the wild are purely natural, free from chemicals, has low sugar level and are enriched with many phytochemicals and antioxidants. Moreover, these species flourish in their natural habitats and are exposed to different unfavourable conditions in this manner are relied upon to have strength against different biotic and abiotic stresses. Assessment of these hereditary assets for the recognizable proof of qualities for natural product quality, hardiness, resistance against ailments and pests, soil factors and so forth will serve as a database for future purpose.

Material and Methods:-
Different methods were adopted for ethnobotanical data collection. Surveys were conducted in the district from 2015-2018. A free list technique was used to get information about the knowledge of wild edible fruit species from informants who proved very helpful to get information from illiterate people. Formal questionnaire was also framed to get more information from informants. All plant species were arranged alphabetically which included botanical name, family, vernacular name, habit and their utilizations. The plants were identified with the help of existing standard literature available on the flora of the region [Flora Simlensis, (Collett, 1902

Results and Discussions:-
In present study it was found that fruits of 20 species belonging to 14 genera and 12 families are in use by the folklore of Mandi district in Western Himalaya, Himachal Pradesh (Table-1). Photographs of some of plants have been provided. These wild fruits are not the only source of nutrition and food but also serve the multipurpose role such as medicine, fodder, fuel, agriculture, tools, fencing and ritualistic aspects. It was found that apart from used as edible fruit 8 plants species are used as fodder, 15 as fuelwood, 9 species have high medicinal potential, 4 species have socio religious aspect. In addition to that, 12 species are source of income and 5 species are processed in the form of Jams, chutneys, pickles (Fig 3). The most frequently used wild fruits are from family Rosaceae. Distribution of plant according to their habit it was recorded that tree species were markedly high (14) followed by 134 shrubs (05), herbs (01) (Fig-2). Majority of these fruits are available from mid of summer to end of the rainy seasons.  Roots of Berberis aristata have commercial significance. Tender for uprooting of the roots is being issued by Himachal Pradesh Forest Department from time to time for its trade in the market. The roots are used in the treatment of eye disorder by the trade name of "Rasaunt" (Chauhan, 1999 The wild edible fruit spp. recorded in the present study have medicinal significance as well. Most of the reported species are used to treat indigestion and constipation which include Aegle marmelos, Ficus palmate, Morus alba, Myrica esculenta, Pyrus communis, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia bellerica, T.chebula; latter three being the constituent of "Triphala", one of the best cure for digestion related problems. Twig of Juglans regia is used as "Daatun" and used to cure tooth decay and toothache. Fruit of Morus alba, Myrica esculenta and Phyllanthus emblica are rich in anti oxidants and very good immunity boosters. Seeds of Prinsepia utilis is expressed and used as the massage oil to relieve muscular pains. Many of these plants have socio ritualistic aspect thus being integral part of the life style of the folklore. Leaves of Aegle marmelos are offered to Lord Shiva especially on Mahashivratri. Twigs bearing fruit of Phyllanthus emblica is used as altar during "Tulsi Vivah" (Sharma et al, 2020). Twigs of Prinsepia utilis have role in warding off the evil and in crimination; seed oil used in Tantra Mantra. The plant of Punica granatum is worshipped by newlywed couple. Just as the seeds are enclosed in a rind, the newlywed couple should also keep the family united.

Conclusion:-
The outcome shows that a large portion of natural products are gathered by folklore along with other activities like cultivating, visiting woodlands for fuel wood and fodder or during the grazing of their live stocks. The finding of this paper gives first hand information on accessibility and utilization of wild natural products. Wild fruits together with their products can be used to ensure food security and their availability round the year. Wild fruits can make out the best supplement for nutrition. As they already play an important role in uplifting rural economy, but proper marketing strategies should be there for proper commercialization of these wild resources. During last few decades, the forests are receding away and so many of these wild fruits as well. So proper documentation of their availabilit y and utilization is important for their propagation and conservation strategies. These underutilized and neglected Himalayan resources should be best utilized for food, nutritional and livelihood security. In addition to the processing of these wild fruits into Jams, Pickles, Juices, we need to take them to next level-Neutraceuticals and Functional foods. In the Global market place, the Neutraceuticals and Functional Foods have become a multibillion dollar Industry, United States and Japan being the largest markets in the World for Neutraceutical Products (Keservani,2010). India known for its Ayurvedic supermacy and a vast reservoir of wild resources has a wide scope in this growing Industry. Inter-disciplinary collaborations can take this Industry to new heights.