ROLE OF WILD VEGETABLES IN NUTRITIONAL ENRICHMENT: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KARJAT TEHSIL

The indigenous flora thrives naturally without the need for cultivation or maintenance. This flora is favored by the local population as a viable alternative for essential dietary sustenance, offering nutritional balance and medicinal benefits. An extensive survey of wild edible vegetables from the Karjat Tehsil in the Ahilyanagar District was conducted in year 2023-24 to assess the significance of these wild plants in the local diet. The findings revealed that these plants are chosen for their flavor, accessibility, and nutritional value throughout various seasons mostly during rainy season. These plants are recognized for their medicinal and nutritional significance, contributing to enhanced health and immunity, improved digestibility, and blood purification, among other benefits. The medicinal attributes of these plants are related to their abundant phytochemical content, including phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, antioxidants, and vitamins. Therefore, it can be concluded that the popularity of wild edible vegetables arises from their superior nutritional value, making them viable alternatives to commercially available hybrid vegetables.