Wild food plants, which grow uncultivated in forests, are crucial to the diets of forest-dependent communities. They provide essential micronutrients often missing from staple foods like rice, which are high in carbohydrates but low in other nutrients. These wild foods also serve as a vital energy source during famines, contributing to resilient food systems and cultural traditions.
Where both rural and urban poor face hidden hunger or micronutrient deficiencies, a Tanzanian study highlights the importance of wild foods in supplementing the diet—providing 31% of vitamin A, 20% of vitamin C, and nearly 20% of iron for Indigenous communities. However, land use changes and deforestation have disrupted these traditional food systems and hindered the transmission of knowledge to younger generations. The aim of celebrating this rich food tradition is to revive the collective memory of wild foods, relearn the delicious preparations, regain the lost palate, and nourish the hidden hunger of the people. This will support a reconnection of the people with the land and the forest, promoting the conservation and restoration of the biodiversity that nourishes not only the body but also the soil, the water – the entire interconnected web of life on this planet.
This event seeks to introduce more people, especially youth, to the intricate workings of the forest ecosystem, allowing them to experience its beauty and nourishment firsthand and inspire climate action. Additionally, it aims to create a platform for commercial exchange of forest products, enabling tribal communities to gain sustainable livelihoods and support their families through entrepreneurship while contributing to biodiversity conservation and restoration.
Prabodhan Aranyotsav 2024
When?
17th August 2024
Where?
Prabodhan Vidyalay, Ambatha
Registration Link
What’s going to happen this year?
- A buffet of 32+ forest food recipes by our Adivasi women groups
- Experts speaking on Biodiversity restoration & climate action, resilient food & nutrition, tribal women entrepreneurship, and community forest rights & forest conservation
- Guidance of the Commissioner, Tribal Development Department, Smt. Nayana Gunde IAS as Chief guest, managing Director, Shabari Tribal Finance and Development Corporation Limited (STFDC), Smt. Leena Bansod IAS, and Chief Conservator of Forest, Mr. Rishikesh Ranjan IFS as Guests of Honour.
- Academicians, researchers, entrepreneurs, students, and voluntary organizations as special invitees
- Chefs to taste the food items and guide the process of standardization of recipes
- The joy of dancing to the rhythm of tribal music
Read more here
Our Speakers
Mrs. Dipali Chandak
Director, Wisdom Extra Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
Over seven years at Wisdom Xtra Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Ms. Chandak spearheaded turnkey projects and promoted business growth. As a key advisor for the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, she supported enterprise development and advocated for women’s empowerment. Her organisation, Wisdom Xtra now collaborates with stakeholders to implement strategic initiatives and foster entrepreneurship
Dr. Amruta Joglekar
Co-founder & Director,
EcoSatva Solutions, Pune
With 18+ years of research experience, Dr. Joglekar has written 8 publications on ecology and biodiversity, focusing extensively on the Western Ghats. Her work includes projects on plant enumeration and identifying ecologically sensitive areas in this region. She supported Prof. Gadgil on the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel formed by the MOEF and is a member of the Western Ghats Plant Specialist Group within the IUCN Species Survival Commission. Additionally, she has collaborated with more than 40 organisations in the Central Indian Tribal Belt to develop data formats for Natural Resource Management and People’s Biodiversity Register.
Mr. Milind Thatte
Founder-Director, TEER
Secretary & Managing Trustee, Vayam
Milind Thatte brings extensive experience working directly with grassroots issues related to NREGA, Forest Rights, and PESA in tribal communities. In 2008, he established the voluntary organisation Vayam and later founded the research and development organisation TEER. He has served on numerous expert committees and advisory councils for both state and central tribal ministries, as well as the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Additionally, he is a member of the board of management at IGNOU.
Dr. Sharvari Kalantare
Senior Dietician, Sparsh Multispeciality Hospital, Dombivali
Dr. Kalantare is a senior dietitian at Sparsh Multispeciality Hospital and offers consultations at several other hospitals and at SIA School in Dombivli. She serves as a guest faculty in Yoga and Nutrition at LSI Institute in Mumbai and practices as a freelance yoga therapist. Her expertise lies in public health, with a particular focus on the nutritional value of forest foods. Dr. Kalantare has actively participated in forest food festivals organised by KDMC and has delivered lectures on forest fruits for rural and tribal communities. Additionally, she is an active member of Paryavaran Dakshta Manch and Green Lovers Club Mumbai, where she contributes to tree planting and management initiatives.
Maharashtra Prabodhan Seva Mandal (MPSM) 