SamajSanvad | 20 July | Prabhakar Dhage
(Culture) Wild vegetables are those naturally growing greens found in forests, fallow lands, fields, and along roadsides. Without any cultivation, these nutrient-rich and medicinal plants grow on their own in nature and are now being recognized as highly nutritious alternatives by urban dwellers weary of consuming chemically grown vegetables.
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(Culture) However, understanding the value of these greens is different from acting on it. People who make efforts to grow ornamental bonsai trees in their balconies still hesitate to grow kitchen vegetables organically. As a result, many are unintentionally consuming poison-laced vegetables and frequently visiting doctors.
(Culture) To address this, rather than just preaching, Dr. Ramesh Tawadkar, MLA from Canacona and Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, along with Savita Tawadkar, Sarpanch of Painguin and Principal of Balram School, launched the ‘Wild Vegetable Festival’ to spread awareness by showcasing these vegetables.
Dr. Tawadkar, who has successfully implemented several initiatives under the “Swayampurna Gaon” (Self-reliant Village) mission, has made the Wild Vegetable Festival a popular event, now celebrated even in the capital city of Panaji.
On 19 July 2025, the Wild Vegetable Festival was held at Ravindra Bhavan, Canacona, with great enthusiasm and public participation. The event was supported by the Balram Education Society, Goa Biodiversity Board, and the Forest Department. A total of 182 self-help groups from Goa participated, presenting over 43 types of wild vegetables through delicious preparations.
Some of the vegetables included bamboo shoots, kill, takala, alambi (mushrooms), piduki, alu (taro), ter, phagla, bharangi, akur, drumsticks, tendli, red and green amaranth, kokum, wild spinach, wild okra, wild banana, and corn-like plants. Dishes prepared from these were both tasty and healthful. Around 35 schools also set up their stalls, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere.
This festival proved to be highly inspiring for the younger generation, teaching them the value of wild greens. Rich in minerals, nutrients, and medicinal properties, these vegetables are now being acknowledged by Ayurveda and the Ministry of AYUSH. As they grow naturally without human interference, they remain free from pollution.
Goa’s tribal communities have preserved this knowledge through generations. These vegetables are not just a part of their diet but an essential component of their lifestyle. The Wild Vegetable Festival is an extended celebration of the Canacona Lokotsav, promoting village-based employment and sustainability.
Through this visionary effort, Dr. Tawadkar has shown how rural employment can be created and how community self-reliance can be achieved. Protecting and promoting wild vegetables is the need of the hour, and such initiatives pave the way for a healthier and more sustainable future.
Hearty congratulations to Dr. Ramesh Tawadkar for this innovative and impactful initiative !
