Van Kaleva Utsav – Awareness program on uncultivated food with Baiga children of Anuppur District, Madhya Pradesh

Based on inputs from UD fellow Durgesh Prasad

On the 23^rd of December 2020 Van Kaleva Utsav was celebrated in the Signagarh forest of Gonda Panchayat, Pushparajgarh Block, Anuppur District, Madhya Pradesh. The program involved Baiga children as well as village elders and heads from neighbouring Baiga villages which inculded Pakripani, Dumartola, Bakan, Nawatola, Belapani.

The village elders shared their knowledge about the different wild foods and medicinal plants found in their forests as well as the benefits of these plants and trees especially for health and wellbeing. Some information shared with the children was as follows:

• The Padahin root is used to treat stomach pain and related ailments.
• The skin/bark of Khadhadh is made into a paste and its vapor is inhaled to treat headaches.
• Lal Kanda/Teen patti is used to treat vomiting.
• Harra fruit is used to treat cough.

The children got to see and identify a variety of wild leafy vegetables, tubers, fruits, flowers and seeds and also learnt about how these foods are prepared and their benefits.

The program concluded with a meal that included preparations of wild leafy vegetables and tubers.