This immersive session invited participants to step into the often-overlooked edible landscapes of Panjim’s urban greenery. Guided by Dr. Maryanne Lobo, ethnobotanist and co-founder of Plantwalks, Eat the Wild was a foraging walk that uncovered the rich world of edible weeds thriving amidst city streets, gardens, and abandoned spaces.

The walk offered participants a hands-on introduction to identifying local wild greens, many of which were once staples in ancestral kitchens but have since faded from everyday diets.

Key highlights included:

• Learning to identify wild edible plants — from common ground cover to plants growing along pathways and open spaces.

• Stories and insights into the ancestral uses of these greens in traditional cuisines and home remedies.

• Conversations on seasonality, sustainability, and the ethics of foraging, encouraging responsible harvesting practices that respect ecosystems and communities.

• An introduction to the nutritional and medicinal benefits of often-dismissed ‘weeds’ and their potential role in contemporary food conversations.

Whether a beginner or an experienced forager, participants left with a deeper awareness of the biodiversity woven into urban environments and how reclaiming these wild foods can be a small act of ecological and cultural revival.

About Dr. Maryanne Lobo:
An ethnobotanist and environmental educator, Maryanne is the co-founder of Plantwalks, a Goa-based initiative aimed at reconnecting people with plant knowledge through walks, workshops, and community events.