In a historic first for Tripura, the Forest Food Festival was held in Agartala on Saturday, with the aim of popularizing indigenous cuisine primarily made from forest products.
Hundreds of food enthusiasts from both tribal and non-tribal communities gathered at the Heritage Park to savor the delectable dishes of homemade traditional indigenous food that have been overshadowed by the fast-paced urbanization.
The food festival was jointly organized by the Tripura Biodiversity Board and the Tripura SCATFORM Project.
The event was inaugurated by Principal Secretary Forest and PCCF KS Sethi, by lightning the ceremonial lamp in the presence of senior forest department officials and other dignitaries.
Housewives and self-help groups from different parts of the state enthusiastically participated in the festival, showcasing a variety of special delicacies that have been passed down through generations but are gradually being forgotten in the era of fast food and carbonated beverages.
The main objective of organizing the food festival is to popularize these dishes and the cooking ingredients, which mainly consist of forest produce, in the mainstream.
The organizers moreover, believe that this will help to increase the income of tribal communities who make a living by selling these forest products, and thereby improving their quality of life.
Additionally, these forest produce items are inherently organic, as no fertilizers or pesticides are used in their cultivation. Using these ingredients is considered healthier compared to commercially produced artificially enhanced items.
The festival showcased a diverse range of food, with several stalls catering to food enthusiasts who relished the opportunity to taste these unique delicacies that are not readily available in the fast-paced city life, where there is often little time to prepare such traditional food.
The dishes presented at the festival are not only delicious but also healthy and nutritious, as they are cooked using steam and minimal oil and spices, unlike junk food.
Visitors said that they enjoyed the flavorsome dishes and expressed their appreciation for the healthy, delicious nature of the cuisine, prepared with minimal use of oil and spices. Families came together to indulge in this culinary experience, cherishing the chance to savor these traditional dishes.
