Corresponding Author's : Priyanka Kataria

Abstract :

Uttarakhand – the goldmine of fauna and flora diversity, has a large number of wild edible fruits Uwith medicinal and nutritive properties which are used by the locals since ages. The utilization of Himalayan plant species for food and medication has been known for quite a long time and it has been very much exploited from ages by Ayurveda, UNANI and Homeopathy. Nature has distributed the Wild Plants in many parts of the earth especially in the Indian Himalayas and Forest regions where anthropogenic activities are less or not much significant. Underutilized fruits are the ones that are neither grown on a commercial scale nor marketed widely around the world. These fruits are minimally acknowledged plant species with reference to research and marketing aspects but can be seen conforming to wild and stress-like conditions. Wild edible plant products are vital for the livelihood and holds a great importance for survival and well-being of the rural populations living in the local regions as they are not only used them as a source of supplemental food, nutritionally balanced diets, medicines, fodder, fuel, but also for the income generating potential provided by these fruits. Wild fruits like Berberis asiatica, Myrica esculenta, Rubus ellipticus, Prunus domestica, Prunus persica hold a great nutritional value and quality, thus local people use them for various edible products. Such wild plants need to be explored for their nutritional and potential nutraceutical properties and benefits and need to be conserved for the maintenance of biodiversity. The popular processed products that can be easily made from these underutilized fruits are jams, RTS beverages, fruit-based drinks, chutneys, candied fruit, preserves, pickles, squashes, concentrate, nectars, etc. There is a need to develop high yielding varieties, value added products, protection technologies, and post-harvest management practices for these crops. This can only be achieved by establishing research and development, and promotion that will help disseminate these fruit crops

Keywords :

Underutilized, Medicinal, Wild Fruits, Entrepreneurship

Article Details

Unique Paper ID: 15

Publication Volume & Issue: VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 1

Page(s): 74-81

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