About author – Himalayan Wild Food Plants

NAME: Dr. Tara Devi Sen Thakur
DATE OF BIRTH: 19 Jan, 1982.
PLACE OF BIRTH: Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
SPOUSE: Dr. Sanjeet Singh
CONTACT DETAILS:

Dr. Tara Devi Sen Thakur
Asstt. Professor in Botany
Govt. P.G College Mandi
Himachal Pradesh – 175001
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +7018127900
Mobile: + 9857879790

My Guide and Mentor

1.My P.hd.Guide

Dr.S.S.Samant
Scientist-G, Scientist In-charge (Himachal Regional Centre)
Address: G.B.P.N.I.H.E.S.D., Himachal Unit, Mohal-Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India.Phone: (Code: +91-1902) 260208, 260313 Fax: 260207 Mobile: +91-9816316318
.

2. My Mentor

Dr. Chiranjit Parmar
164/3 Jail Road, Mandi HP 175001.
01905-222810; 9418181323; [email protected]
www.fruitipedia.com; fruitipedia.blogspot.com

He brought me out from pure academics of the subject and initiated me to get connected with people through popular articles on local wild growing food plants. My forthcoming book, “SOME WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF THE WESTERN HIMALAYAS” written in joint authorship with him and being published by IIT, Mandi, several newspaper articles on wild growing edible plants and even this web site is the result of his advice and continuous encouragement.

AREA OF RESEARCH:

 Ethnobotany and Biodiversity conservation with special focus on wild Food Plants. Activities undertaken are

1, Community awareness programmes for women (Mahila Mandal & SHGs) and school children’s for sustainable utilization of resources specially wild nutritional & medicinally important food plants by field visits to schools & remote areas of HP India

2, Community awareness through print and social media.

Actively involved in People Biodiversity Register Preparation of 5 blocks of Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh India,
Engaged in nursery raising, plantation & distribution of important wild food plants.
Revived traditional dishes of wild edible plants with modern twist.
Engaged in social welfare and environment conservation by engaging students (Rotaracts)
Revived traditional dishes of wild food itemswith modern twist.
Initiated online marketing of local & traditionally processed food items and encouraged SHGs to suastainbly use wild food items to generate income
Initiated a slide making unit for Miss Ravina a student of MSc, Botany 3^rdsem along with Rise- up Foundation.
Capacity building & women empowerment (With Rise- Up Foundation Mandi Donated a High-Tech Knitting MachineFor Women of Ritik Self-Help Group & Deputed 4 SHG to participate & sell wild food items in exhibition organised by DEST HP.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:

 Ph. D from Department of Botany, Kumaun University Nanital, Uttarakhand (2014)
 M.Sc in Environment science from Sikkim Manipal University (2008)
 M.Sc in Botany from Jiwaji University Gwalior (2004)
 B.Sc from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla H.P (2002)
 Senior Secondary from H.P Board of School Education Dharamshala, H.P (1999)

 High Secondary from H.P Board of School Education Dharamshala, H.P (1997)

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT: Qualified State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) (Accredited by UGC New Delhi)

Research Projects:

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR of Research Project entitled “Traditional Processing of Wild Edible Plants of Six Tehsils viz Kotli, Mandi Sadar, Sunder Nagar, Padhar, Joginder Nagar, Thunag & Chachoit of Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh, , Their Medicinal Nutritional & Economic Potential Plus Value Addition by Analyzing Scope for Latest Processing Techniques.” Allotted and Funded by DST (Department of Environment and Sciences), Govt. of Himachal Pradesh.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR project entitled “Withania somnifera: Awareness for Cultivation and optimum utilization in Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh for boosting health and immunity”, from National Medicinal Plants Board,Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India,

PRESENT POSITION:

 Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Vallabh Government College Mandi H.P (10 th June 2010 –Till Date)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

1.Worked as a Facilitator in Mid Himalayan Watershed Project (2006 – 2009)

(Worked for upliftment of both human and non human resources (Animals, Water, Land, Forest) of watershed. Four department Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal husbandry and Forest worked as a unit under a umbrella for upliftment of community, flora and fauna, Played a pivotal role in framing SHGs, User Groups for biodiversity conservation, sustainable utilization of resources and livelihood promotion,)

2. Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, at SVPU Mandi H.P ( 20 Oct,2020 to July, 2023_

3. Warden, Girls Hostel, Govt. P.G College Mandi (June 2015 – 2022)

CONFERENCES/RESEARCH
PAPERS/BOOKS/WORKSHOPS/SEMINAR

Research Paper Titled: “Diversity Endemism And Economic Potential of Wild Edible Plants in Rissa khad Watershed of District Mandi Himachal Pradesh.” Published in Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products Vol. 20 (2) : 155-164 2013.
Research Paper Titled: “Diversity Distribution And Indigenous Uses of Medicinal Plants in Rissa Khad Watershed of District Mandi Himachal Pradesh.” Published in Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products Vol. 20 (3) : 199-2142013.
Research Paper Titled: “Ethnobotany plus Nutritional medicinal economical potential and sustainable use of Rhododendron arboreum spp. arboreum in watershed Rissa-khad of Distt Mandi Himachal Pradesh India.” Published in IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS) Volume 12. pp 64-68; 2017.
Research Paper Titled: “Diversity Nativity and Sustainable Use of Forest Flora of Watershed Rissa Khad.” Published in Asian Journal of Advanced Basic Science 5(2) 74-84 2017.
Research Paper Titled: “Fuel Resource Of Watershed Rissa-Khad In H.P. India Their Diversity Assessment And Utilization Pattern For Conservation And Management” Published in International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 8 Issue 11 pp. 21580-21586 November 2017.
Research Paper Titled: “Threat Categorizations and Conservation Prioritization of Floristic Diversity of watershed Rissa-khad for Socio-economic Development”. Published in International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 8 Issue 12 pp. 22516-22522 December 2017.
Research Paper Titled: “Diversity Distribution Nativity and Utilization Pattern of Fodder Species In Watershed Rissa-khad H.P. India” Published in International Journal of Current Advanced Research Vol 7 Issue 1(D) pp 8974-8978 January 2018.
Research Paper Titled: “Economic Edible and Medicinal Potential of Tinospora Cordifolia for Socio-Economic Development Of Watershed Rissa-Khad Distt. Mandi of Himachal Pradesh”. Published in Administrative development ‘A Journal of HIPPA Shimla” Vol 7(1); pp319-333 2020.
Research Paper Titled: “Nutritional Medicinal and Economic Potential of Khanor (Aesculus Indica) For Socio-Economic Development of Tehsil Thunag of District. Mandi Himachal Pradesh North West Himalaya.” Published in IOSR Journal of Environmental Science Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) Vol.14(2): PP 15-20. February 2020.

Research Paper Titled: “Role of Wild Food Plants in Culinary Tourism Development of District Mandi Himachal Pradesh” International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences Vol.7 Issue.6 pp.14-38.2020.
Research Paper Titled: “Traditional use and role of wild edible fern Diplazium esculentum and Pteridium aquilinum in socio-economic development of District Mandi of Himachal Pradesh North Western Himalaya” Published in International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences Vol.7 Issue.6 pp.44-50 2020.
Research Paper Titled: “Diversity Distribution Nativity and Indigenous Uses of Crop Wild Relative of District Mandi Himachal Pradesh and Their Potential in Crop Improvement Programme”. Published in International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences Vol.8 Issue.1 pp.108-121 2021.
Research Paper Titled: “The Role of Wild Food Plants of Himachal Pradesh in Boosting Immunity to Combat COVID-19”. Published in Journal of Scientific Research in Medical and Biological Sciences (SRMBS) vol. 2 no. 2 pp. 23-62 2(2) May 2021.
Research Paper Titled: “Some Ethnomedicinal Plants of Western Himalayas Useful in Making Local Alcoholic Drinks”. Journal of Scientific Research in Medical and Biological Sciences 2(3) 75-103 Aug. 2021.
Research Paper Titled: “Threatened Plants of Tungal Valley North Western Himalayas: Their diversity Distribution Indigenous Uses and Need of Conservation”. Published in World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences wjpls Vol. 7 (10) pp120 – 132 2021.
Research Paper Titled: “Domestication of some nutritionally important wild edible plants of Mandi Himachal Pradesh North Western Himalayas for boosting health immunity rural prosperity and food security”. Published in International Journal Of Tropical AgricultureVol. 39 (1-2) 87-108 2021.
Research Paper Titled: “Past and Present Status of Dioscorea deltoideia; A Highly Threatened Wild Medicinal Plant In Nihri Tehsil of Himachal Pradesh North Western Himalayas” World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences wjpls Vol. 7 (12) 14 – 25. 2021.
Research Paper Titled: “Domestication and Conservation Practice Of Dioscorea deltoidea Hedychium spicatum Polygonatum verticillatum Angelica glauca and Dactylorhiza hatagirea For Boosting Health Sustainability and Rural Prosperity” published World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences wjpls Vol. 9 (11) 85-96 2023.

Paper Published in Conference Proceeding = 01

Research Paper Titled: “Distribution Nativity and traditional uses of Taraxacum officinale its Medicinal Nutritional and Economic Potential for Socioeconomic Development” Published by Pratibha Spandan Long View Jutogh Shimla 171008 Himachal Pradesh India. ISBN 978-81-945576-2-3 (eBook).

Research Paper Presented in national or international conferences/ workshops/seminar (20).

National Seminar on Quality Concerns in Teacher Education: Challenges and Opportunities organized by Vijay Memorial College of Teacher Education (2013).
3rd. Annual National Conference on Science: Emerging Scenario & Future Challenges –III Organized by Him Science Congress Association 11-12 April 2015 Vallabh Govt. P.G College Mandi H.P.
International conference on “Science: Emerging Scenario and Future Challenges” organized by Him Science Congress Association 11-12 June 2016 Dharamshala H.P.
National Conference on “Higher Education: Issues and Challenges” organized by Himachal Government College Teachers’ Association on 18-19 September 2015 at Hotel Peter of Shimla H.P.
National Conference on Environment : Current Scenario and Future Perspectives (9th March 2019) organized by Govt College Dehri sponsored by HIMCOSTE.

Multi-Disciplinary International Conference on Natural Resource Management For Socio-Economic Development Of Western Himalayas: Opportunities & Challenges organized by V.G.C. Mandi (10-12 Aug. 2019).
International conference on Recent Trends in Interdisciplinary Research organized by HPU Shimla & Pratibha Spandan Society Shimla (9-10 Sept. 2019).
National conference on Rethinking the Himalayas: Its Scope and Protection organized by Government College Karsog (12-13 Dec 2019).
International Conference on Making India again as World Leader: Future of Learning organized by Science and Management Society HP (6-8th Jan 2020).
International Symposium on Science as a Tool for Skill Enhancement Among Entrepreneurs organized by Swami Vivekanand Govt College Ghumarwin (7-8th Feb 2020).
International Symposium on Plant Taxonomy and Ethnobotany organized by Botanical Survey of India (BSI) Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change.(13-14th Feb 2020).
1st International Conference on Innovation in Biotechnology and Life Sciences (ICIBLS 2020) organized by Delhi Technological University (18-20 Dec 2020).
Multi-Disciplinary International Conference on A New world Order: Resilience and Reinvention organized by Science and Management Society HP (25-27th Dec 2020).
International Conference cum Buyers Sellers Meet for Medicinal Plants Used in Lifestyle Products organized by Jadavpur University Kolkata (8-10 Feb2021).
International Conference on Progress of Science and Technology During Pandemic organized by Him Science Congress Association. (11-12 Sept. 2021).
12th International Conference on Agriculture Horticulture and Food Sciences organized by The Society of Tropical Agriculture. (29-30th Dec 2021).
National Hindi Seminar on Livelihood optional for Rural Community In Himalayas organized by GBPNIHE Mohal Kullu (14 July2022).
National Seminar on Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods in The north Western Himalayas: Fostering convergence among Research practice and Policy organized by Govt. College Shahpur. Kangra (27-29 May 2023).
International Conference and Buyers Sellers Meet for Medicinal Plants Used in Lifestyle Products organized by Jadavpur University Kolkata (6-8 Dec2023).

Twelfth Biennial Conference of INSEE on SDGs and Climate Change: Understanding The Imperatives and Intersections organized by the Indian Society For Ecological Economics (31 Jan-2 Feb2024).
Participated in Climate Change Conclave -2021 organised by DEST HP India as a expert delegate. on 18th Dec. 2021.

BOOKS PUBLISHED(06):

Biodiversity by Truemen’s Publication, ISBN:81-87223-33-2.
Plant Anotomy & Embryology by Truemen’s Publication, ISBN: 81-87223-66-9.
Some Wild Edible Plants of Western: Volume II. Self-Publishing 2021. ISBN:978-93-5526-910-2
An illustrated Guide to Some Wild Growing Food Plants of Sub-Himalayan Region. Self-Publishing, 2021. ISBN:978-93-5473-475-5.
Some Wild Edible Plants of Western Himalayas published by IIT Mandi. ISBN:978-91-95236-6-8.
उप हिमालयी क्षेत्र में उगने वाले कुछ विशिस्ट जंगली खाद्य एवं औषधीय पौधे। Self-publishing. ISBN:9355-93240-5.

CHAPTER IN BOOK (05):

Boosting Health and Immunity During COVID-19 by using Wild Food Plants as a Food and Food Supplement” in book titled,” COVID-19, Human Health And Nutrition.” ISBN: 978-93-5473-518-9.
Medicinal effects and Tourism potential of Wild edible Flowers of District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh” in book titled,” Local Food and Community Empowerment through Tourism (Volume1)”, published by Eureka publications. ISBN:978-93-91260-29.
Wild Edible Plants of District Mandi of Himachal Pradesh, their resilience against stress and climate change to ensure food security, climate resilient and sustainable agriculture in book titled “Environmental Issues, Challenges and mitigation Measures In Himachal Pradesh published by GBPNIHE Mohal Kullu” ISBN :9-788194-783732.
Climate Resilient Wild Edible Succulents of Mandi Himachal Pradesh, Their Indigenous Uses and Role in Socio-Economic Development of the Region’ in book published by Springer ISBN: 978-981-19-5061-2 .
Recipe of Saryara bhalle and video clip on Missa Parantha to the IWSA publication, Millets for Children: Rhymes, Recipes & Resources for all ages.

Conference:

Organizing secretory of an International Conference on” Natural resource management for socio-economic development of Western Himalayas ; Opportunities and Challenges” from 10 to 12 August 2019

Workshops:

Organizing secretory of one week national level workshop in botany department of Vallabh Government College Mandi; since 14 May to 21 May on “Nursery and gardening techniques of medicinal and ornamental plants” in collaboration with department of forest.

Organized one day workshop on Biodiversity conservation programme along with G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development Himachal unit Mohal-Kullu on March 2017.

Organized a one Day Workshop in collaboration with RCFCNR-Jogindernagar on value addition of Medicinal Plants for members of Self Help Groups working in Gohar Block of District Mandi HP on 27, Feb, 2022

Organized a one Day Workshop in collaboration with RCFCNR-Jogindernagar on cultivation, processing & marketing of Medicinal Plants for members of Self Help Groups working in Sadar Block of District Mandi HP on 28, Feb, 2022

Seminar:

Organized one day on :Self Reliant India Through New Education Policy” on 6th March, 2021 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Cluster University Mandi..

INVITED TALK:

Delivered 20 lecture as resource person in conferences, seminars and training programme of state and national level.

Topic titled “Capacity Building and Entrepreneurship Development with Special Focus on Wild Food Plants’ at 22th Agricultural Scientist and Farmers Congress (22/02/2020).
Topic titled “ Nutritional and Medicinal value of some wild Edible Plants of HP. At Poshan Abhiyan awareness programme organized by VGC Mandi.(21/08/2019)
Topic titled “ Wild vegetable of Himachal Pradesh on awareness of science under Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyanorganized by GSSSS Randhara District Mandi HP. (26/02/2020).
Topic titled “ Wild Food Plants of Himachal Pradesh on awareness of science under Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyanorganized by GSSSS Randhara District Mandi HP. ( (22/02/2020).
RP for PBR training program of Sadar Mandi Balh, Sundernagar and Gohar block of Mandi HP (18/07 2020).
Topic titled “ Wild Edible : Current Status and Future Prospects’ for a webinar towards the celebration of ‘Bharat ka Amrut Mahotsav’ organized by GBPNIHE Mohal Kullu (06/07/2021)
Topic titled “ Health and Hygiene with wild food Plants for sports person’ of HP in state youth leadership program (25/11/2021).
Topic titled’ Role of Wild food crops in combating global food crisis for NSS students of Baselius College, Kottayam Kerla (05/12/2021)
Topic titled “ Culinary Tourism & Medical Tourism ‘ organized by GSSS Sadiana, Mandi (22/02/2022).
Topic titled ‘Role of Wild Food Plants in Sustainable Culinary Tourism Development ‘ on occasion of National Science Day for students of BGSB University Rajouri (J&K) ( 28/02/2022).
Topic titled ‘ Wild Edible Tubers of North Western Himalayan Region’ at CUHP Shahpur Kangra (09/03/2022).
Topic titled’ Traditional Value of Medicinal Wild Food Plants’ at Refresher course organized by UGC-HRDC Shimla(22/06/2022).
Judge for Scientific project report during 30th HP Children science Congress on focal theme Understanding Ecosystem for Health and Well-being organized by HIMCOSTE Shimla at IIT Mandi. (31-3/01/2023)
Topic titled’ Sustainable Harvesting and Nursery Raising Techniques at DAV Public School Nerchowk (09/03/2023).
Topic titled’ Health benefits of Local medicinal food plants.’ organized by regional ayurvedic research Institute , Pandoh, Mandi ( AYUSH) on occasion of World Environment Day, (05/06/2023).
Expert in Current affairs Programme at Prasar Bharati DDK Shimla (18/07/2023)
Topic titled, ‘Medicinal Wild Food Plants ‘ organized by regional ayurvedic research Institute, Pandoh, Mandi ( AYUSH) on occasion of Poshan Maah-Sep, 2023
Topic titled, ‘ Role of Wild Food Plants in Sustainable Agriculture’ organized by Sardar Patel University Mandi(27/12/2023).
Topic titled. ‘ Current Status and Future Prospects of Medicinal Wild Food Plants’ at RCFC Jogindernagar(7/03/24)
Topic titled. ‘ Historical prospective of Indian Medicinal Plants’ in a Seminar at Soolani University HP. India.
Topic titled. ‘The Importance of Medicinal Plants, Rejuvenating Himalayan Ecosystem and Modern Challenges related to the Environment’ in a National Seminar on occasion of World Environment Day,2024 organized by Swami Vivekanand Study Circle.

YOU TUBE CHANNEL:

You Tube channel Dr. Tara Sen Thakur is uploaded with 350 plus videos related to Plant science, wild food plants recipes and community awareness programme for sustainable utilization and harvesting of wild food plants. .

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES: 200

Patent Filed: 05

Recipe for herbal Burans Tea. Published as caffeine Free. Herbal Tea Composition of Rhododendron arboreum and Method of Preparation Thereof (2023)
Recipe for Value added Sepu-badi (With addition of Kalanchoe pinneta & Euphorbia hirta). Published as nutritionally enriched black Gram Dumpling (Sepu Vadi) and Method of Preparation Thereof (2024).
Recipe for Value added pasta (With addition of (Tinospora cordifolia & Euphorbia hirta)
Recipe for Amla-lukath (Phyllanthus emblica & Eriobotrya japonica ) herbal Tea.
Recipe for Herbal Noodles.

ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES:

 Attended four weeks Orientation Programme at UGC-HRDC HPU Shimla, Since 8 th May, 2017 to 3 rd June, 2017

REFRESHER COURSES (03):

 Attended two weeks refresher course on Plant taxonomy and Ethnobotany at MDU Rohtaksince 7 th Oct, 2018 to 21 st Oct, 2018
 Attended three weeks interdisciplinary refresher course on women empowerment at UGC-HRDC, Banglore, since 26 th Feb, 2018 to 19 st August, 2018.

. Managing online classes & co-creating MOOCS from Ramanujan college university of Delhi (24 April-07 May 2024).

TRAINING PROGRAMMES:

 Attended two weeks Induction Training Programme since 17 th August, 2013 to 31 st August, 2013.

MEMBERSHIP OF SCIENTIFIC BODIES:

1. Member of editorial board of International Journal on Environment, Development and Sustainability

2. Member, Him Science Congress Association

Honour:

Received honour from Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Virender Kanwarji on 19^thSept. 2020.for active involvement in preparation of People’s Biodiversity Register of District Mandi of Himachal Pradesh during Corona period.

2. Received honour from DIG Mandi HP INDIA Madhusudan Sharma Ji as a Corona Warrior for awaking community to use and sustainably harvest immunity boosting wild food plants on 23 Foundation Day Celebration of ABVP,

3. Received honour from INTACH for conservation of TK related to wild food plants of Mandi on Nov. 14, 2021.

4. Received honour from Art of living Women club Mandi on International Women’s Day 2022 for community services.

5. Child welfare department released annual calendar of most powerful women of state (HP) on International women day 2021 and placed at No 13.

6. Child welfare department displayed my picture in opening ceremony of International Shivratri Fair Procession in their special van titled “ Beti hai Anmol”

7. Renowned writer of Mandi HP Shri Dinesh Dharmpaul dedicated his 65 th book & fift literary Gadmay Padha work “ Pratikar” as a honour for the social work done to upliftment of nutritional status of rural women.

8. Received honour from Hon’ble Governor of HP Shri .Shiv Pratap Shukla ji organized by Sunil Upadhyay Education Trust for conservation, awareness and sustainable utilization of Wild Food plants 18 Nov, 2023.

9. Received honor from Regional -cum-Facilitation Centre, Northern Region-1, Research Institute in Indian system of Medicine. Joginder Nagar Distt. Mandi for remarkable contribution and achievement in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants sectoron 7^th March, 2024.