Surendra Pandram and Gyansa Bharti
Uncultivated foods make a vital contribution to the Bhariya and Gond people in the 12 villages of Patalkot, Chhindwara District, MP. These foods comprise a variety of green leafy vegetables; fruits, seeds and flowers; and tubers and have historically ensured the nutritional security of the Bhariya and Gond people of Patalkot and have been particularly important in times of food scarcity.
However, villagers report that there has been a decline in the availability of several uncultivated food plants and trees across the region. Based on discussions with the community a list of uncultivated food plants and trees to be planted, to ensure their revival, was prepared. Subsequently in the last year supported by community members seeds of 13 uncultivated food plants and trees were collected and they comprised – Mahua, Achar/Chironji, Keolar Bhaji, Menhar, Katul, Sure Churna, Bukai, Retu Bhaji, Bhelwa, Kosum, Semda / Mahul and Semar. Seeds of horticultural species like Munga and Sitaphal were also collected.
With the onset of the monsoons towards the end of June wide spread planting of the collected seeds was carried out across Patalkot’s 12 village. In the village of Sukhabhand villagers came together to plant seeds of all different varieties of plants and trees in 2.5 acres of land donated for the purpose by Durjan Uike. Subsequently, 468 seeds of 5 different varieties were planted in villagers Badi (homestead plots); 187 seeds of 8 different varieties were planted in village schools; and 160 seeds of 10 varieties were planted along village roads.
