Potential Wild Edible Plants for Livelihood Improvement in Indian Eastern Himalayan State of Arunachal Pradesh: Management and Conservation Priorities
摘要
Consumption of wild edible plants (WEPs) is deeply associated with the indigenous knowledge of the forest communities, especially in biodiversity-rich regions like Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. This chapter explores the diversity of WEP in Arunachal Pradesh, documentation of potential WEPs for the livelihood improvement, and socio-economic development while satisfying a wide range of SDGs. Even though these plants can act as a potential income source for the indigenous communities, there still exist some local issues, including overharvesting, habitat loss, lack of sustainable management, and climatic threats. The proposed management and conservation priorities have integrated conservation strategies, domestication efforts, and government-supported marketing mechanisms to protect diversity of WEPs while enhancing rural livelihoods. By documenting these culturally preferred and commercially viable species and analyzing their market dynamics, the study offers insights into leveraging traditional ecological knowledge and biodiversity for sustainable rural development in Arunachal Pradesh.