The shifting dynamics of plant and mushroom foraging in Kashmir.

ABSTRACT: In the mountainous region of Kashmir, wild food plants (WFPs) are vital to traditional food systems and security. Ethnic communities possess rich foraging practices; however, current sociocultural and environmental impacts may affect the transmission of local plant knowledge among younger generations. This study explores traditional foraging practices and provides a cross-cultural analysis of five groups: Gujjar, Bakarwal, Lone, Syed, and Mughal. It investigates gender-based knowledge, intergenerational dynamics of local plant knowledge, and WFP knowledge among various age groups. Data were collected from 191 informants through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions from March to September 2024. Factor analysis was conducted to analyse perceived threats to WFPs, and a Venn

SUBMITTER: Manzoor M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12379522 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature