EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF LOCAL AND WILD FRUITS FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF KHIRSU BLOCK, PAURI GARHWAL, UTTARAKHAND INDIA

The present study was conducted in Khirsu block of Pauri Garhwal Uttarakhand, to obtain information on the Local and wild Fruits plants used by the rural community.Survey questions, in-person field trips, and participant observations were employed to gather data regarding the community's use of various wild and local fruit plants.It was observed that all 18 species were used by rural communities in the study area.12 are wild fruits and 6 are local species that were found to be used as livelihood sources.The result indicates that value addition through processing fruits into products like pickles, jams, squashes, and jellies can significantly enhance profitability.Fruit loss is one of the major problems in the study area, 55-60 % of the fruit is damaged or spoiled due to interruption of wild animals especially monkeys, due to a lack of storage facilities farmers cannot store their raw fruits for a long time they are compulsion to sell their fruits in local market in very less margins, which effect on their income.The current study is a step toward increasing public awareness about the significance of these local and wild edible fruit plants and the need for further conservation.