Wild Edible Fruits of Western Ghats forFuture Nutritional Security

Abstract

The Western Ghats is recognised as one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world and has abundance of underutilised wild fruit species, with great nutritional, medicinal and cultural value. These species are high in vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and bioactive antioxidants, which can also provide food security and livelihoods for indigenous peoples of rainforests. These native species
which are widely adaptable, pest-resistant and provide benefits for sustainable agriculture practices are being rapidly lost due to habitat loss, climate change, exotic species introduction and socio-economic shifts. In this article 38 wild fruit species represented by 23 families have been documented from various locations of Western Ghats in which Rhamnaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae family represent the highest with 3 species. The common and vernacular name, flowering and fruiting period have also been given. The article will also provide information on the timing of availability of wild edible fruit species.