Shah Shyama Sunilbhai

LA4021

Termitomyces mushrooms, a highly valued and culturally significant species traditionally harvested by the Dhodia Patel community. These mushrooms are facing extinction due to habitat loss, over-harvesting, and changes in land use. The intervention seeks to restore this delicate ecosystem by implementing a food forest, an agroforestry system that mimics natural forest dynamics, integrating various layers of vegetation—trees, shrubs, herbs, and aquatic flora—to create a supportive habitat for Termitomyces. The project not only aims to revive the mushroom population but also reconnects the local community with their cultural heritage and improves food security. By enhancing soil quality and supporting biodiversity, this initiative offers an ecological and economic lifeline, providing year-round harvests and sustainable livelihoods.