Collection and Documentation of Vegetables and Fruits in Kurseong Region of Darjelling District of West Bengal

Abstract

The study was carried out in five gram Panchayats of Kureseong block viz. Ghayabari, Tindharia, Singel, Mahanandi and Rongtong of Darjeeling district of West Bengal. A total 41 species of vegetables and 10 species of fruits utilized by local communities were documented as cultivated or planted in their homegardens of this surveyed region. These species are belonging to 31 genera and 19 families respectively. The most cultivated vegetable was found to be Sechium edule followed by Brassica juncea, Colocassia esculenta, Utica parviflora. The dominant genus was represented by Brassica followed by Capsicum. Rosaceae with five species was the dominant family among the utilized fruit species. Though not extensively but Citrus grandis, Musa spp., Psidium guajava, Pyrus pyrifolia, peaches and plums are grown here for the sustenance of the livelihood. The reported vegetables and fruit plants are very nutritious vitamins, proteins, polypeptides and flavonoids. Therefore, sustainable management of these resources for the wellbeing of the local communities as well as to conserve biodiversity is needed.