Exploitation Pattern of Edible Indigenous Macrophytes in Rural West Bengal, India: Implications for Sustainable Management

The market survey of edible indigenous macrophytes (EIM) is a feasible way to follow the abundance, composition, and availability of different macrophyte species and to figure out the exploitation pattern of a natural resource for sustainable management. The present study was carried out to address the exploitation pattern of EIM following certain parameters like species diversity, market availability, and unit price. The survey was conducted between March 2012 and February 2016 at selected vegetable markets in different districts of West Bengal, India. A total of EIMsix EIM species were mostly sold by vendors all over the markets, which were prioritizedto assess the exploitation, sustainable use, and their conservation management. Considering the bundles as a saleable unit for each EIM species, Marsilea quadrifolia (mean 851.1 ± 116.6) and Hygrophila spinosa (mean 34.89 ± 1.65) contained the highest and lowest number of sticks per bundle. The mean biomass of EIM bundles available in markets was maximum for Marsilea quadrifolia (280 ± 40.96 g) and least for Centella asiatica (41.41 ± 2.80 g). The mean price (INR) per bundle was maximum in Marsilea quadrifolia (7 ± 0.81 INR/bundle), while Hygrophila spinosa (3.01 ± 0.14 INR/bundle) was retailed at the least price. The estimated standardized price (selling price/maximum selling price) per gram was highest for Centella asiatica (0.10±0.01 INR/g), and the standardized price per stick was maximum in Hygrophila spinosa (0.10±0.00 INR/stick). The findings of the study highlight the market price, market availability, and exploitation pattern of edible macrophytes in vegetable markets of rural West Bengal, India, and reflect their significance in food security and livelihood.