Forest Food Nutrition

We get our nutritious diet from the forest, such as Mahua fruit Doli oil in the form of fat, Kodo, Bhaddi, Kulthia, Mahua flowers, Jamun, Mahua kheer, Bhaji, etc.

— Surajsingh Parmar · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

We get various types of fruits and roots from the forest.

— Laba Kumar sabar · Bada Baridi, Rayagada, Odisha

My name is Isaac Sabar, village Zero Number, Panchayat Mandi Mandi, District Kandhamal. I feel that in the current situation, people used to use traditional forest products, which are forest-derived goods, in large quantities to sustain their livelihoods, but due to the lack of forests, they have disappeared. We want to restore the forests so that we can enjoy those forest products just like our ancestors used to.

— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha

We get various greens and various fruits from the forest.

— Laba Kumar sabar · Bada Baridi, Rayagada, Odisha

Forest food collection

— Suna majhi · Kulusingi, Rayagada, Odisha

My name is Rashmita Pradhan. Just as our ancestors remained healthy by eating fruits and roots found in the forest, prepared without chemicals, we also wish to eat the same food now. We are from tribal-dominated areas. Our forest is our lifeline. Therefore, our ancient traditions should be restored, and our forest should not be destroyed. Thank you. Raika Kandhamal.

— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Susmita Pradhan. We are the indigenous, original inhabitants. We wish to live in harmony with nature, producing our own food. We are demanding the government to conserve the things that are disappearing from the market. We are requesting the government to restore the forest products like roots and various forest items that are disappearing.

— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha

Grains and other food items are included from the forest.

— Sunita Kumari

My name is Rina Kuonro. We are the tribal indigenous people. We produce food and collect from the forest, and we express our desire to live with the forest or with nature. This is a humble request to the government for us, and please pay attention to the forest-derived food that we can obtain.

— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha

Grains, food, and foodstuffs are included from the forest.

— Sunita Kumari

Forest-derived food includes fresh bamboo shoots, bamboo sago, and Kendu fruit, among others. We obtain our food from the forest.

— S Guruteli · Upperpur, Malkangiri, Odisha

From the forest, we also get many things as vegetables, such as

— Kekti Tekam

Forest Food

— Abhimaneu Sabar

From the forest, we collect ruguda mushrooms, mudhi saag, kuiler saag, girel flowers, bhindua kadi, and so on. If all these are nutritious foods for us, they should be included in the midday meal.

— RINA BEHERA · Hemagiri, Sundargarh, Odisha

Forest food

— Abhimaneu Sabar

People will now bring and eat mahua char kendu found in the forests that they had lost in the past, preparing it as food.

— Priti Majhi

Forest products such as Jharakunduru, Pitalu Konda, and various other types of edible forest produce are available. These also serve as food for animals and birds, and consuming them provides nourishment.

— Anirudha Marai

We are getting all kinds of seasonal produce from the forest.

— Laba Kumar sabar · Lamingi, Rayagada, Odisha

Let the Mahua, Char, and Kendu (products) from the forest be processed for food.

— Priti majhi

From the forest, we get leafy vegetables, tubers, mushrooms, and fruits. All these kinds of things are available.

— Laba Kumar sabar · Bada Baridi, Rayagada, Odisha

Wants to eat Mukhani bhaji and Khatta Aamdi bhaji from the forest.

— Devisingh Solanki · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

I am going to the forest and collecting Kanda mushroom, medicinal type plants from the forest, bringing them, and using them.

— biswanath sahoo

To include forest-based foods like Mahua ladoo, Char ladoo, Phuljhi, etc., in PDS and midday meals.

— Anjana Khadia · Sundargarh, Odisha

From the forest, we bring mahua and mahua seeds.

— Kekti Tekam

The forest contains nutritious foods like Pitalu, Baya, Tunga, Water Yam, Elephant Foot Yam, Bitter Ginari greens, Putukuli, Honey, Amla, Bahada, and Kendu. The government should consider adding some of these to the PDS (Public Distribution System).

— Prasanna Pradhan · Mayurbhanj, Odisha

I will collect food found in the forest and feed the children, and use it traditionally.

— Anupama Mahanand

Our medicinal herbs, vegetables, fruits, and trees are depleting from the forests.

— Kachala Choudhary

Due to the cutting of trees and plants in the village, various herbs and food items are becoming extinct. We can protect them.

— Mohan AHARI · Sarera, Udaipur, Rajasthan

People will now bring mahul char kendu found in the forests that they had lost in the past, prepare it as food, and eat it.

— Priti Majhi

Mahuwa seeds, herbs, Pohri, and Putu Lakh are brought from the forest.

— Kekti Tekam

Even now, fruits, flowers, healthy herbs, and medicines from the forest are being used by us, including the tribal community.

— ishwarsabar · Chelema, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Jharkhand

My name is Surendra Podra. I am from Gurumundi village, Katinga Gram Panchayat, Dani block, Kandhamal district. I want to highlight the environmental degradation of today. Our ancestors used to live in the forest, depending on roots, greens, and various other things. But... I express my desire to bring back that kind of environment.

— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha

You yourself were telling me that tendu, custard apple, and other items found in the forest, which should be included in this meal through government efforts, and...

— Anil Pargi · Cheekhli, Dungarpur, Rajasthan

Nutritious food found in the forest: Mudhi saga, Chhati saga, Bhadbhadia saga, Koila saga, Munga saga, Ghumi saga, Tartha saga.

— Parsuram Sa · Sundargarh, Odisha