Raan Bhaji Festival 2026 Celebrates Goa’s Wild Edible Plants and Traditional Knowledge

Arannya Environment Research Organisation (AERO), in collaboration with Persistent Foundation, BAIF, and the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), Mayem–Vainguinim, organised the Raan Bhaji Festival 2026 to celebrate Goa’s rich diversity of wild edible plants, traditional food practices, and community knowledge.

The festival highlighted the cultural and ecological significance of raan bhaji—wild edible plants traditionally gathered and consumed by local communities. These plants represent an important connection between biodiversity, food traditions, and indigenous knowledge, while emphasising the value of conserving local plant diversity.

The event was honoured by the presence of Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA and Chairman of the Goa State Horticultural Corporation, as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Pradip Sarmokadam, Member Secretary of the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB), as the Guest of Honour.

Through this initiative, the participating organisations aimed to promote awareness of wild edible plants, recognise the knowledge held by local communities, and encourage the conservation of biodiversity associated with traditional food systems.

The Raan Bhaji Festival served as a platform to celebrate Goa’s natural and cultural heritage while highlighting the importance of sustaining traditional practices and protecting the ecosystems that support them.

From forests to our plates, wild edible plants remind us that biodiversity is not merely part of our surroundings—it is deeply woven into our culture, food, and everyday lives. Check out this video and the fun we had: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D-9rdzuwPI&t=27s

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