Browsing by Author "Lobsang Wangchu"

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Mainstreaming Local Food Species for Nutritional and Livelihood Security: Insights From Traditional Food Systems of Adi Community of Arunachal Pradesh, India
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2021) Ranjay K. Singh; Rakesh Bhardwaj; Anamika Singh; Temin Payum; Arvind K. Rai; Anshuman Singh; Lobsang Wangchu; Sanjay Upadhyay
This study brings out the critical role of lesser-known local plant species in the food, nutrition and livelihood security of Adi community in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Considering women as a major custodian in knowledge and practices on foods, a total of 90 Adi women and 60 key knowledgeable community members (thus a total of 150 participants) were selected from East Siang and Upper Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Data were collected using combination of methods including recipe contest, focus group discussion, personal interviews and laboratory analyses. The results indicated that Adi women were able to identify 39 bioculturally important species from a range of locally available plant species. Used alone or with other foods, these plants remain central to the Adi people's cultural identity and livelihood security. In addition to improving food and nutritional security, these species accessed from different land use systems, are also sold on the local markets to generate decent incomes. Of the species identified by Adi women, 28 were culturally shared and used frequently in food and ethnomedicine. Laboratory analyses of the selected 22 species revealed exceptionally high levels of minerals and other nutrients, such as proteins and anti-oxidants, supporting their traditional use for health benefits. Our study results provide valuable insights to the researchers to explore the vast hidden potential of these and other similar species for improving nutritional well-being of local communities in marginal areas. Adequate policy support is needed to enable Adi and other such marginalized communities to cope with challenges being posed to traditional food systems. © Copyright © 2021 Singh, Bhardwaj, Singh, Payum, Rai, Singh, Wangchu and Upadhyay.
Traditional soil and water conservation by tribal farmers in Arunachal Pradesh: A case study on erosion control
(National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, 2025) Ashwini Suryawanshi; Benukantha K. Dash; Ampee Tasung; Raghuveer Singh; Rajesh A. Alone; Thejangulie Angami; Lobsang Wangchu; Anupam Kumar Nema; Burhan U. Chaudhury
Mountainous regions require more attention to protect, restore, and develop than any other ecosystems. Prioritizing techniques and practices that improve productivity while protecting the environment is essential in this regard. A study was conducted to identify traditional agricultural practices and soil and water conservation measures among Galo tribal farmers in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Data were gathered through surveys, group discussions, interviews, and field observations from 150 farmers across three elevation zones (low, medium, and high) during 2022-23. Farmers have inherited and implemented various conservation practices, including wetland rice cultivation (Esiarik), contour farming, mulching, agroforestry, vegetative barriers, bamboo channel irrigation systems (Kombo), mixed crops, water-harvesting structures, and traditional soil conservation methods. This study documents and analyses the elevation-specific indigenous conservation practices of Galo tribal farmers. These practices are widespread across all elevation zones, indicating farmers’ strong reliance on traditional conservation methods and their economic benefits. The outcomes of this study have significant implications for regional strategies related to sustainable land management. © 2025, National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research. All rights reserved.