Mushroom diversity conservation through tribal women in Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve

Abstract

Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere reserve has a very high concentration of tribal population. Some of the major tribal communities found in the region are Gonds and their sub-tribes like Madia, Mudia, Gurva, Agariya, Rajgond, Baigas,
Kol, Kanwar, and Pradhans. The aim of the study is to analyse collection pattern and conservation of edible wild mushrooms by tribal women which focuses on the equitable allocation of forest benefits, fair decision-making processes, and sustainable utilization of the forests. The tribal women communities largely collected wild species like Agaricus trisulphuratus (Berk.), Astraeus hygrometricus (Pers.) Morgan, Amanita muscaria (L: Fr.) (Hook.), Geastrum quadrifidum (Pers.), Calvatia craniiformis (Schwein.) Fr., Clitocybe robusta (Fr.) Staude, Clitocybe geotropa (Lucien Quélet.), Coprinus comatus
(O. F. Müll.) Pers., Geastrum spp (Pers.), Macrolepiota dolichaula (Berk. and Fr.), Pulveroboletus shoreae (Singh and Singh), Podabrella microcarpa (Sathe & J. T. Daniel), Russula apida (Pers.), Russula crescens (Pers.), Termitomyces robustus (Beeli) R. Heim, Lactarius picinus (A. H. Sm. & Hesler), Volvariella volvacea (Bul.) Singer. A study was carried out on different ranges of Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve. The occurrence of these wild fungi varies with habitat and climatic conditions. These naturally occurring edible wild mushrooms can be collected and may be used as a staple food for human consumption or even marketed like other minor forest products, and have excellent potential to add to the tribal economy. The findings indicated the edible wild mushroom diversity is very rich in Chhattisgarh. In monsoon, the other NTFP are difficult to access from the forest, so mushrooms can give good alternate for their income. The tribal women actively participate in most of the collection, marketing, and conservation processes.