A Comprehensive Appraisal of the Wild Food Plants and Food System of Tribal Cultures in the Hindu Kush Mountain Range; a Way Forward for Balancing Human Nutrition and Food Security

The tribal belt of the Hindu Kush mountains is famous for its unique culture, ethnography, wild food plants, systems, and traditional knowledge. People in this region gather plants plant parts using them directly or cuisine, sell local markets. However, there a huge lack documentation system, particularly that related to (WFP). In current study, we focus on uses contributions WFPs system valleys along Pakistan–Afghanistan border. Ethnobotanical data were gathered through questionnaire surveys 84 informants, including 69 men 15 women, belonging 21 different villages chosen area. societies women rarely mix thus very few took part surveys. We documented 63 WFP species 34 botanical families, which 27 used as vegetables, 24 fruits, six kinds chutneys (starters), fresh species. Fruits most (41%), followed by leaves (24%), aerial seeds (7%), stems (3%), young inflorescences (1%). reported Carthamus oxyacantha, Pinus roxburghii seeds, Marsilea quadrifolia are novel gastronomy Pakistan. results reveal provide significant contribution systems play role addressing human nutritional needs, usually not met farming practices. peoples use their value, but also cultural practice—an inseparable component community’s lifestyle. This important knowledge about gathering consumption WFPs, however, eroding at an alarming rate among younger generations due introduction fast-food, modernization, globalization. Therefore, appropriate strategies imperative only safeguard practices, well heritage attached them, foster security public healthcare via foods region.