There are many joys when it comes to travelling around India – and local cuisine is one of the foremost. The question arises: How far would you travel for a taste of mango?
No doubt, the Mango is the King of tropical fruit. India has a craze for the golden fruit, particularly given its limited season. There is a vast range of mango breeds, and each region in the country claims for itself the top spot. The Alphonso of West India, the Langra of Varanasi, Kesar from Gujarat, the Himayat of the Deccan, the Banganpalli of Telangana and the rare, highly-priced Noorjahan of Madhya Pradesh – each vies for attention during the summer months.
There is an unsung hero, however. Also part of the large umbrella provided by the species Mangifera indica is the Wild Mango. We’ve all bought mango from fruit carts and markets, and even paid a king’s ransom for them, but imagine walking along a jungle trail with a snack and water in your backpack, and suddenly coming across a bountiful canopy with dark green foliage, punctuated by a vivid golden orange! Low hanging bunches of mango, there for the picking without even needing a stone or catapult. Small, fibrous ripe fruit that peels easily and, as you bite into its orange pulp, releases juices that dribble over your hands. It won’t take long to convince anyone that we’re talking about a slice of heaven here.
All over India, there are countless varieties of wild mango, each influenced by local soil and climate. The wild mango also flourishes in the forests and woodlands of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. Well-known naturalist, filmmaker and author Pradip Krishen describes the wild mango extensively in his book Jungle Trees of Central India. The tree is tall and wide with a busy, densely branching canopy that droops low to the ground. A generous tree that also serves as a natural habitat for small animals such as monkeys, squirrels, birds and bats.
The Many Uses of Wild Mango
Tribal communities in Pachmarhi have a deep connection with the forests, and rely on them for their livelihoods. The wild mango produces fibrous fruit that are much smaller than commercially grown hybrids, and the fruit is used in a variety of uses. Of course, it is cooked and pickled in a variety of ways. Besides, there are also several medicinal benefits. The unripe fruit can be roasted, pulverized and shredded is said to cure stomach ailments, heat stroke and water retention, The gum from the tree is used as a salve for cracked feet, while the leaf, peel and bark are known to have antioxidant properties. The leaves and flowers are also used in religious rituals. Despite being soft, light, coarse-grained and challenging to season, mango wood is used for country furniture, doors, crates and implements.
No wonder the fruit is Royalty!
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is well connected by air, train and road. It is about 260km from Jabalpur and 230km from Bhopal. The nearest station is Pipariya (50km) and it is also possible to reach here via Itarsi (150 kms). With the hill station of Pachmarhi so conveniently located, March to June is a good time to visit, with the added benefit of being the mango season.