“Our elders say, if you never put an axe to a mahua tree, it won’t let a person go hungry”
—Kalabai Merawi, 45, Kannai village
From Our Community
These stories have been sourced from a growing network of passionate Locavores from across India. Join us as we gather diverse stories, wade through local markets and farms, experiment with flavours, have conversations with experts from across fields, and get our hands dirty.
In Haflong’s Weekly Vegetable Market, Dima Hasao’s Mountains Are on Offer
Bamboo shoots, jute leaves, colocasia leaves, and bitter berries are just some of the fresh produce this market offers, now under threat as uncertain climate and shrinking forests affect growing cycles.
“Thukpa is what people reach for when they are sick, or cold, or missing something they cannot name”
—Passang Dolma, who runs a Tibetan eatery in Dhondenling
“We have always lived on these islands and gone to sea. How can the state say it does not belong to us?”
—S. Pandiammal, 44, Rameswaram
![“[These manuscripts are] our heritage—we must preserve it”](https://i0.wp.com/thelocavore.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Isbah.jpeg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1)
“[These manuscripts are] our heritage—we must preserve it”
—Isbah Khan, Persian scholar, Rampur
“If the water turns fresh, what happens to this cycle? How can it be a sustaining project?”
—Narayanan R., fisherman and activist, Kovalam Kuppam
![“Because [we don’t have] qualifications, they give us less money.”](https://i0.wp.com/thelocavore.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Devender-EL3-scaled.jpeg?fit=800%2C1067&ssl=1)
“Because [we don’t have] qualifications, they give us less money.”
—Devender Kumar Range, a compost worker in Sonipat
“I knew the food cultures of Ukhrul could find a place here.”
— Shirik Chingri, who runs Indigenous Basket, a shop in Bengaluru
“This ensures I get some money every day to light my stove”
“This ensures I get some money every day to light my stove”—Kesar Londhe, Wastepicker, Pune