Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The macrofungi of the Chotanagpur plateau represents a vital blend of ecological brilliance, nutritional wealth and cultural legacy, yet they remain largely unexplored and undocumented. Jharkhand's tropical deciduous forests and sub-humid climate support a rich, yet largely unmapped repository of wild macrofungi. Amongst all other districts of Jharkhand, diversity of mushrooms growing in Hazaribag has been merely explored so far by the scientific community. Indigenous tribes including the Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Ho, Birhor and Sauria Paharia rely heavily on these non-timber forest products for dietary variety and sustainable livelihoods. However, the unique mushroom diversity of Hazaribag remains largely overlooked in the scientific world. Threatened by rapid deforestation, commercial exploitation and changing seasonal patterns, these ecologically and culturally vital organisms face severe habitat destruction. Our present study registers Hazaribag’s rich repository of wild mushrooms, which documents twelve species across Basidiomycota and Ascomycota divisions. While eight species spanning seven families (i.e. Auriculariaceae, Dacrymycetaceae, Xylariaceae, Marasmiaceae, Mycenaceae and Polyporaceae) were taxonomically identified, four macrofungi remained unidentified. These inedible, saprophytic and sometimes toxic precious species require urgent conservation strategies and expanded research.
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7212017261