Monday, Sep 16, 2024 23:30 [IST]
Last Update: Sunday, Sep 15, 2024 17:53 [IST]
GANGTOK,: The Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative, in collaboration with the Integrated Mountain Initiative, launched a ‘Farmed Foraged Fermented:
Celebrating
Food Cultures of the Mountains’, a book which explores the diverse culinary traditions
and sustainable food practices across the Himalayan region
The book
is edited by Roshan Rai, a member of Zero Waste Himalaya, the Darjeeling
Himalaya Initiative, and the Integrated Mountain Initiative, and Priyadarshinee
Shrestha, also a member of Zero Waste Himalaya, the Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative.
The book
emphasizes the significance of farmed, foraged, and fermented foods in
maintaining health, ensuring nutritional security, and preserving cultural
heritage. The book highlights the impact of globalization on local food systems,
particularly the decline of traditional practices and the rise of processed
food consumption, which has contributed to growing plastic waste.
It also
features photographs from the Indian Himalayan Photography Contest, organised
by the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) and Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative
(DHI) as part of the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit X, 2021 in Darjeeling-Kalimpong.
During
the book launch event, the editors engaged in a conversation on local food
cultures and briefly discussed the various sections of the book.
These
sections include “People and Foodscapes,” which explores the relationship
between communities and their food landscapes; “Food from the Wild,” focusing
on foraged ingredients; “Food and Markets,” examining the role of markets in
sustaining food cultures; “Making Food,” highlighting preparation processes;
and “Fermented Food,” underscoring the importance of fermentation in local
cuisine. Collectively, these sections illustrate the deep-rooted practices that
continue to support Himalayan food systems.
Designed
by Echostream, Gangtok-Sikkim, the publication aims to celebrate and conserve
local food traditions amidst global dietary shifts. Proceeds from the book
sales will go towards the Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative. The book is available
at Rachna Bookstore, Gangtok and on their website, with delivery available
across the country.