A dimension within Forest Food Security
This theme explores the challenges and importance of food security, wild food, and forest produce amidst deforestation.
150 voices speak to this
Each dimension splits this theme further — keep drilling to see how it breaks down.
Negative
Overall Community Sentiment
AI-synthesised pieces woven from many community voices on this theme. They may contain errors or interpretation — they're a reflection of the stories, not a record of fact.
Faced with the loss of their natural forest, a community took action to plant a new one specifically for medicinal herbs.
In remote mountain forests, a community navigates daily life, preserving ancient crops and adapting cultural traditions amidst evolving times.
Mangar Bani faced severe air pollution and multiple nearby fire threats this month, despite supporting diverse wildlife.
By cherishing and utilizing the traditional foods and herbs found in our forests and lands, we can sustain ourselves and combat malnutrition while preserving our natural heritage.
Nutritious forest food items are not found in our area because very few forests are left here.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
The most nutritious wild food items are not available here because there are very few forests around. And it doesn't seem that all those PDFs and such are here.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
In our region, forest food items that are nutritious are not found in such a way, due to which we cannot include them in PDS and mid-day meals.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
In our area, we don't get edible produce from the forest that is suitable for inclusion in PDS or MDM.
— Krishna pada mahato · Purulia, West Bengal
Locally available wild food products that are nutritious are very scarce in our area because the forests here are on the verge of extinction.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
Old, traditional foods are not available. As a result, the forest was also destroyed. The food that should be available is not available.
— Keshab Majhi · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha
Currently, in our forest, bamboo is not found, other wild produce is not found, mushrooms are not found. Also, our cashews are not doing well; the cashew cultivation that used to happen before is also not doing well.
— jitendra khila · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha
Nutritious wild food items are not found in our area, which we can include in PDS and mid-day meals.
— Sunil oraon · Verno, Gumla, Jharkhand
Nutritious food is not available from farming as before; all food available is cultivated with fertilizers. Various root-based foods are also not available in the forest.
— KAPAL MARNDI · Bissamcuttack, Rayagada, Odisha
Fruit trees and vegetable plants have disappeared from our forests.
— Kachala Choudhary
Today, there is the most severe shortage of forest food, Kul, and fruits.
— Priti Majhi · Subdega, Sundargarh, Odisha
No Chinese spices and some other food items are also obtained from the forest.
— Sunita Kumari · Ghorawal, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh
The various types of fruits that used to be found in the forest are no longer available.
— KARUKAR MURMU · SKIP NO LOCATION
The most nutritious available wild products, wild food items, are not found here and cannot be included in PDS and mid-day meals.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
We do not get forest produce for PDS or MDM here, but it might be possible according to the time.
— Krishna pada mahato · Purulia, West Bengal
Today, the forest's food, especially its fruits, is experiencing the greatest scarcity.
— Priti Majhi · Subdega, Sundargarh, Odisha
In our area, forest produce is not available like in PDS and MDM. It is better to cultivate organic nutrition gardens in every family and school.
— Krishna pada mahato · Purulia, West Bengal
The herbs, vegetables, fruits, and trees have been depleted from the forest.
— Kachala Choudhary
Name - Sarangadhar Pradhan, Village - Gasaguda, Gram Panchayat - Jiridikia, Block K. Nuagaon, District Kandhamal. In our village, the food items lacking in the forest are Sahada fruit, Kendu fruit, Jamu Koli (Java Plum), Siali fruit, and Siti Kusha Saag (a type of leafy green), which are not available!
— Rajib Pradhan · Phiringia, Kandhamal, Odisha
Large trees have been cut down, due to which it is becoming difficult to find forest vegetables and herbs.
— Kachala Choudhary
Yes, damage has definitely occurred. Previously, people used to obtain two traditional food items by cutting trees from the forest. Now, these are not available. Furthermore, there has been extensive damage to medicinal plants, and those are also not available.
— gobardhan pangi
What isn't in my forest? In my forest, neither Corridi nor Satuma grows. Due to this climate change, even tamarind is not falling in the village now.
— jitendra khila · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha
We are not getting food to eat. Brother, the forest is completely depleted. When they destroyed everything by cutting down trees for mining, after that, now we are deprived of things like Charikuli, Barukuli, Kendu, and even bears (Bhalia), including the black bear (Kala Bhalia).
— swornalata nayak · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha
Today, when we talk about forest products, things like root vegetables and fruits such as Kendu, Baheda, and Harida, which also had medicinal properties, are no longer available. They have now become extinct or are found in very small quantities.
— Debendra Suna · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha
Now, honey, resin, Aainla (Indian gooseberry), Harada (chebulic myrobalan), and Baahada (beleric myrobalan) are no longer found in our forest.
— Upendra Kumar Mahananda
In this village, the forest has been damaged a bit more than before this time. Herbs cannot be collected, and because of that, we...
— Padmini Bhoi
Earlier, a lot of edible items were found in the forests that could be eaten and added to midday meals, but now, due to damage to the forests, many things have become extinct.
— Kekti Tekam · Dindori, Madhya Pradesh
Wild food items found in our area are quite nutritious, but they cannot be included in mid-day meals and PDS shops.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
Due to excessive deforestation, we specifically have a shortage of water. Also, there is a significant shortage of food and fruits.
— Karunakar Uthansing · Maradipanga, Kandhamal, Odisha
Nowadays, forests are being cleared. We used to get food from the forest, but now we are not getting it. Instead, we are consuming food grown with chemical fertilizers.
— jitendra khila · kudumulugumma, Malkangiri, Odisha
What our ancestors used to obtain, now 90% of the forest has been destroyed. With the destruction of forests, the hills have also been destroyed. Whatever materials we used to find, especially food items, are no longer available.
— jitendra khila · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha
In our area, there is no wild food item of any kind that can be included in PDS and Ayushman food.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
In ancient times, people used to depend on the forest for their livelihood. But now, since the forest has become depleted, they are no longer able to get tubers, leaves, fruits, and roots from the forest. Therefore, the forest in greater quantity...
— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha
It is certainly remembered. Our people are destroying forests. As a result, when they go to the forest, no forest products, including food items, can be found. It would have been better if forests were not destroyed.
— jitendra khila · Lachery, Malkangiri, Odisha
Producing through traditional agriculture, farming without fertilizer. Various types of fruits, medicinal plants and creepers etc. found in forests are no longer available.
— KAPAL MARNDI · Bissamcuttack, Rayagada, Odisha
Now, not much food is available in the forest, but our community's traditional grains like Kodo Kutki khichdi, dalia, and Tur, Chana, and Masoor dals should be included in the PDS, and our children should also receive these in their midday meals.
— Rupesh Maravi · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh
Forest produce is not available in our area. Every family should get access to school and the nutrition garden scheme.
— Krishna pada mahato · Purulia, West Bengal
The most nutritious wild food items are not found here. If found, they are available seasonally, like mushrooms.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
Pit yams are currently not found in the forest.
— jitendra khila · Bissamcuttack, Rayagada, Odisha
The people of the village are not allowed to enter the forest for their needs of wood, roots/tubers, or medicinal herbs. So, this is the problem.
— Amar Lal Dhurwey
The voices in this theme were gathered by these organisations through their community reports.
“What are the key determinants that define your tribe, talk about how your tribe is different from others?” · “What are the most nutritive locally available forest foods which should be included in the PDS and Mid Day Meal and promoted by the Government?” · +8 more
“What do you like the most about Thiruvanmiyur Mada Veedhi?” · “If you had a Magic wand that could change, add or remove anything from Thiruvanmiyur Mada Veedhi, what would it be?”
“What are the ways for Disaster Preparedness for a Changing Climate?”
