Tubers of 250 different species from 6 states will be on display in 2-day exhibition in Kolhapur city

Kolhapur: Tubers of 250 different species from six states will be showcased during the two-day scientific exhibition, titled ‘Back to the Roots', in the city on March 14 and 15 to familiarise urban and rural visitors with these plant parts and their culinary uses.Many of these tubers naturally grow in forests and wild habitats, with traditional knowledge about them largely preserved among forest dwellers, tribal communities and people from the Konkan region. The exhibition will be organised by Kolhapur We Care and Compassion 24, in collaboration with Nisarg Ankur, Shri Shahu Chhatrapati Shikshan Sanstha and Gardens Club, Kolhapur.Senior botanist Madhukar Bachulkar said tubers were thickened, nutrient-rich underground stems or roots that played a vital role in global food security by providing a dependable food source in many regions. "The free exhibition will offer scientific information for students and citizens, helping them understand the importance of tubers in the human food cycle," Bachulkar said.The tubers to be displayed in the exhibition have been collected from several regions, including Joyda, Mysore and Mangalore in Karnataka; Belhe, Nashik, Murbad, Palghar and Gaganbawda in Maharashtra; Bhubaneswar in Odisha; Coimbatore, Salem and Vellore in Tamil Nadu; and Wayanad in Kerala.Milind Dhond, president of Kolhapur We Care, said humans relied on tubers for food since ancient times. "Tubers of plants like asparagus, amarkand, white musli, penwa, kalavi, bhuikohala and kosthakulinjan are widely used in traditional medicine, while carrot, radish, beetroot, ginger, turmeric, onion and garlic are common in daily diets. Tubers like kamalkakadi, shevla and suran are commonly used as vegetables. Most edible tubers consumed today are cultivated," he said, adding that the exhibition would help visitors — young and old — understand the vast world of tubers. "A few tuber‑based recipes will also be displayed," he said.The exhibition will feature tubers of plants including Kanga, Kate Kanga, Koradu, Karanda, Varahakand, Vasakand, Paspoli, Shendvel, Kadukand, Alsi, Shevla, Suran, aerial potatoes, Kandika and Kandak. Various potato species will also be showcased. Additionally, several varieties of turmeric, along with American turmeric and Chinese potatoes, will be showcased in pots.