A study on indigenous food practices of tribes in Mayurbhanj District of Odisha: An innovative sustainable approach

Sustainable development is about nurturing our Earth and preserving the delicate web of life that sustains it. Sustainable development strives to eliminate poverty and hunger while enhancing health and well-being, along with tackling various other challenges. Therefore, reducing poverty and hunger requires continuous efforts to ensure steady economic growth by boosting productivity and income, especially in developing nations. Tribals are the Indigenous people across the globe. These individuals lack basic necessities for survival and suffer from malnutrition and low body weight. Despite sustained efforts, poverty, though decreasing, continues to be a challenge in many regions of India, especially among tribal and marginalized communities. Their indigenous food practices are inherently adopted from generations to generations. These Tribes are culturally, socially enriched and have distinguished life styles. Offering productive jobs and a better standard of living to these people is still a major challenge. Without adequate nutrition, safe water, improved education, and healthcare services, the true essence of sustainable development cannot be realized. This research study focused on indigenous food practices for the Tribals in Mayurbhanj district. Tribal diets are largely dependent on the accessibility of food in their immediate surroundings. They rely on forest resources, agriculture, and gardening for sustenance, with rice as their fundamental staple food. Their diet consists mostly of carbohydrates, but the absence of key nutrients like protein, vitamins, fats, and minerals harms their well-being.