NATIVE PLANT RESOURCES AND TRADITIONAL FOODS OF CHAMBA DISTRICT, HIMACHAL PRADESH FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOOD.

The present study reports the diversity of plant resources of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India for their traditional food and edible uses. The use of above ground parts like leaves, fruits and seeds and other aerial parts, stem, branch, flowers/inflorescence, was found to be higher as compare underground parts include roots, bulb and rhizome. In view of changing of food habits of local communities of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, a study to document the native plant resources of food importance and traditional recipes was conducted. Both cultivated and wild edible plant species were documented through scheduled interviewed with the help of respondents the questionnaires were filled up. After conducting the survey in the whole district the plant species of food importance were identified and a large number of traditional food items were enumerated. The relationship between plant species of food importance and sustainable livelihood were also discussed. It was observed that urbanization posing a threat to the plant diversity of the area as well traditional knowledge and cultural practices of the rural peoples.