Wild edible mushrooms traded by ethnic communities of Senapati and Kangpokpi district of Manipur, India

Abstract

Wild Edible Mushrooms (WEMs) are one of the important food sources of rural people. Mushroom collection is a means of generating additional income and improving nutritional security for many ethnic communities that are collected and consumed by the ethnic communities of Manipur since ages. Although information is available for mushrooms of north east India yet very sporadic information on WEMs of Manipur is available. The present study is an attempt to document the WEMs collected, consumed and commercially traded by Naga & Kuki tribes of Manipur through extensive field and market surveys. Although a large number of WEMs are being consumed, only 8 edible fungi belonging to 7 families were recorded to be traded in the town markets of hill districts of Manipur. The study indicates the prospects of socio-economic development of dependent communities through scientific interventions.