Indian Foods, like Idli and Rajma, Identified as Biodiversity Harms
A scientific study found that some Indian foods, such as Idli, Chana, Rajma, and Chicken Jalfrezi, are among 151 worldwide items causing harm to biodiversity.
Luis Roman Carrasco, a professor at the National University of Singapore, who led the study, was surprised to see the significant impact of legumes and rice in India.
Out of these foods, Idli ranks sixth, and Rajma ranks seventh in the list of items causing biodiversity harm. The study looked at the biodiversity footprints of these dishes.
The biggest harm to biodiversity is caused by Laczhano, a roast lamb recipe from Spain. Beef and lamb preparations from Brazil also rank high in causing harm.
The study highlights that agriculture, especially rice and legume cultivation, leads to habitat loss and damages biodiversity. Additionally, raising cattle for non-vegetarian meals also contributes to this damage.
Despite the large-scale cultivation of rice and legumes, India’s predominantly vegetarian population helps in coexisting without major issues. However, efforts to minimize the impact on biodiversity are crucial.
