Knowledge and the forest Economy of Mushrooms: Cultures of Wild- Nutrition, Healing and Health- among Baigas, Gonds, Kanwars, and Kalangas of Chhattisgarh

Abstract (English)

This work analyses the role that jungle- mushrooms occupy in the diet, culture, economy, and food security of the forest -based communities such as the Gonds, Kanwars, Kalangas and Baigas, of Chhattisgarh. Using a political ethnographical lens, we bring data on the knowledge systems and inherited wisdom on health practices as well as the nutritional economy related to wild mushroom foraging and use among the central Indian tribes of Chhattisgarh. This paper builds on how and when wild mushrooms are foraged by tribal communities, valued nutritionally and for their taste as well as how they to contribute to seasonal food security. Besides, being related to a sustenance - and bio-diversity based forest economy, tribal practices with respect to the use of wild mushrooms are mediums of intergenerational passing of knowledge which we analyse from a gendered perspective focusing on role of as well as the that women foragers face. Arguing that the path to tribal food security runs through the bio-diverse forest, we bring to light an inter-sectional account of sustainable and culturally significant practices as well as challenges related to wild mushroom collection, use, conservation, transportation and sale. Using our primary data, we illustrate the seasonal fungi collection routines tied to food security and livelihood from eleven villages located in the North and South of Karmagarh Jungles of Chhattisgarh. These dense forests, where groups of Scheduled tribes (STs) such as Gonds, Kalangas Kanwars live alongside Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) such as the Baigas, serve as a vital source of sustenance and food. Our research is specific to more than twenty varieties of wild mushrooms which play a crucial role in seasonal nutrition and food diversity. Women, collector communities and tribal healers such as Guniya Vaids share rich narratives on mushrooms and dangers that these fungi now face owing to shrinking forests yet increasing commercial encroachments and interest over tribal habitats. However, efficient use of these resources and the continuation of this nutritional economy and forest biodiversity depends upon a) Ensuring Forest Rights and Habitat Rights to communities; b) Constitution of effective Van Prabandhan Committees (Village Forest Management Committees, VFMCs) at Village level. Nonetheless, in the face of deforestation and mining threats, local conflicts and displacement, climate change and rapid loss of biodiversity there is heightened sense of anxiety among the forest dwelling communities: Will the Tribals be able to sustain their forest-to-plate relationship, seasonal bond and nutritional economy w.r.t mushrooms, or will this collapse into food insecurity?