Indigenous and minor vegetables of Western Ghats

Western ghats are one among the four mega-biodiversity hotspots of India, out of 36 designated hotspots across the globe. UNESCO has declared Western ghats region as a heritage site with high significance to human civilization. Western Ghats are a chain of low to high hills lying parallel to the Arabian Sea with unique agro-ecological habitats, predominantly high rainfall and high humid conditions followed by a mild winter and an extended summer. Prevalence of endemic species is also very high in Western Ghats. The leeward side receives less rainfall and certain pockets are rain shadow areas. The high ranges, midlands and the West coast offer several unique micro climates and specific niches for the evolution, and cultivation of speciality vegetables. Irrigation availability, extended monsoon, no or mild winter and cool climate in the hills, altitudinal and topographic variations, all permit year round cultivation and availability of one or more vegetables. While tuber crops and tree vegetables are seasonal, cultivation of annuals can be taken up more than one crop in a year. Ratoon crops like ivy-gourd, drumstick and vegetable banana are a component of all homestead farms along West Coast. Commercial vegetable plots are few and high density multi-species tree based cropping system is more prevalent in Western Ghats and West Coast. The less known, less cultivated, ethnically important and wild gathered indigenous vegetables of Western ghats are highlighted in this paper.