‘Tribal philosophy can’t be ignored beyond a point’

At a time when climate change is emerging as a reality, indigenous people are eager to give-up their low-carbon lifestyle and join the bandwagon …

The saas-bahu cereal

Aparna Pallavi took 20 years to understand Vidarbha’s culinary character. It lies in the staple

Weed on my plate

Tribals of central India vouch for the taste and health benefits of neglected wild vegetables

Flower of wellness

Medicinal properties of endangered dhawai phool are recognised in Ayurveda and modern medicine

Eat it bland, eat it pickled

Stubborn weed selni was once a favourite among central India farmers for its cooling effect

Yamilicious!

During her visit to Indore, Aparna Pallavi tickles her taste buds with crispy fried purple yam or garadu and discovers the health benefits of the …

Goodness of the unpolished

The popularity of polished white rice has killed the red and black varieties that have medicinal properties. A few Tamil Nadu farmers are …

Drought made palatable

When rains fail, people dependent on forests can relish the strong-flavoured sarata bhaji and enjoy the added bonus of health benefits

Peepal power

The Baiga tribe in Madhya Pradesh never misses the opportunity to savour the tender leaves of peepal

Herbs to heal cattle

In the absence of veterinary services, traditional medical practices for treating livestock remain popular in tribal villages

Blossoms with benefits

Heti flower adds variety to cooking when few options are available just before the harvest season in Maharashtra

Kagga in peril

This rice can tolerate brackish water but is on the brink of extinction. Can government save it?

Delightful appearance

For tribal people, the thrill of food lies in the knowledge and awareness about picking the right food at the right time

So long, Suvin

The finest and longest staple cotton in the world, and part of India's cotton heritage, is on the verge of disappearing

Out of favour

Focus on Alphonso has resulted in neglect of native mango varieties grown in the Western Ghats, some of which are on the brink of extinction

Hunters turn protectors

Traditional hunters Phase Pardhis are part of an initiative to save critically endangered lesser floricans

Healthy fast food

Sahyadri tribals eat buckwheat to stay fit

How about some baby crocs?

The fern adds flavour, nutrition to the food of Maharashtra’s tribals

Not par for the coarse

A wild food trail

Aparna Pallavi shares a monsoon recipe of Chhattisgarh

Goa’s signature spice

Pungent teppal balances dishes’ strong sweet-sour flavour

Stalk soup

Tribals in central India use mushroom stalks to ward off chills and cold

A touch of powder

Maharashtrians spice up their simple meals with dry oilseed chutney

Bite into bitters

Maharashtra tribals’ way of warding off monsoon maladies

Come alive with gundruk

Dried-mustard-leaves soup to beat the monsoon blues