Exploresearch (ISSN: 3048-815X) ( Vol. 03 | No. 2 | April - June, 2026 )

Wild Edible Plants as Pillars of Food Security: Insights from Indigenous Knowledge System of Adi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh

Author: Miti Taying

The current research focuses on the indigenous knowledge regarding wild edible plants among the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Upper Siang District, Siang District and East Siang District were the areas considered for this study. These districts have high biodiversity value and possess different types of wild edible plants which are widely used by indigenous populations for various purposes including food security. These plants contribute greatly towards the food security of such areas as at times access to cultivated plants can be difficult. Hence, the present research attempts to study these wild edible plants and their significance along with their uses among the indigenous population of the region. These plants are used for food and medicines and are very valuable sources of nutrition and medicine respectively. They have indigenous names given to them by the Adi tribe, thus, their documentation is important in order to sustain such traditional knowledge. One of such indigenous tribes living in Arunachal Pradesh is Adi tribe. The tribe uses wild edible plants as a source of their daily nutrition, where plants also serve as vegetables, fruits, spices and medicines. The other topic covered in the present paper is the role of wild edible plants as a source of food security. However, with all rapid changes caused by modernization, urbanization and deforestation, traditional knowledge regarding wild edible plants is almost on the verge of being erased.

Taying, M. (2026). Wild Edible Plants as Pillars of Food Security: Insights from Indigenous Knowledge System of Adi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Exploresearch, 03(02), 88–115. https://doi.org/10.62823/ExRe/2026/03/02.225

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Article DOI: 10.62823/ExRe/2026/03/02.225

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