In recent years, scientists have discovered that the underground substrate of soil is home to a remarkably interconnected web of life called the “wood wide web.” Nearly 500 million years old, these mycorrhizal fungi networks are composed of millions of species of fungi and bacteria swapping nutrients between soil and the roots of trees. While the function and description of these networks is hotly debated among scientists, one thing is undeniable: fungi play a critical ecological role in our world, contributing to nutrient cycling, soil formation and plant health.
One company in Bengaluru is now on a mission to unlock the potential of functional mushrooms and bring their myriad benefits to the forefront. The people behind Nuvedo believe that mushrooms can significantly improve human health, foster biodiversity and create a sustainable food system.
The agri-tech startup was founded in November 2021 by Prithvi Kini and Jashid Hameed after the latter’s frequent allergies were alleviated by mushroom extracts from the USA. Today, Nuvedo sells mushroom cultivation kits, wellness products like tinctures and extracts, and packaged mushrooms for use in meals.
However, it is their ongoing project mapping the hidden fungal biodiversity of Bengaluru’s iconic Lalbagh Botanical Gardens and Cubbon Park that has captured the public’s imagination. The project was launched four years ago in a bid to uncover and document the extensive mycelial networks that play a crucial role in sustaining the urban ecosystem.
“Despite their popularity, [the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens and Cubbon Park] harbour a rich variety of fungi that often goes unnoticed. This project is vital because it shines a light on the often-overlooked fungal biodiversity that is essential for ecological health. By understanding and documenting these mycelial networks, we hope to foster a greater appreciation of their importance in maintaining urban ecosystems and biodiversity,” Kini and Hameed say.
"Having spent a lifetime in Bengaluru, we’ve come to appreciate the traditional narrative of our city as a 'garden city,' [which is] centred on the lush flora and fauna every monsoon or spring. Yet, it's the unseen world that truly moves us, silently making connections across ecosystems. These organisms are ubiquitous: in our home gardens, neighbourhood parks, even our terrace pots.”
Their dedicated research team is made up of mushroom enthusiasts, scientists and marketing specialists. While the core Nuvedo staff drive the project forward, workshops, foraging events and educational initiatives get the public involved, too. The ultimate goal is to raise awareness and appreciation for the fungal world, foster a deeper connection between citizens and nature, and promote conservation efforts. The company also hopes to integrate the knowledge of fungi into daily life and enhance both environmental and human health.
To meet the latter goal, they decided to publish an educational resource that bridged the gap in understanding the city's fungi ecosystem and its role. The "Mushrooms of Uru" field guide is Bengaluru’s very first beginner's guide to the city’s fungi landscape. It features beautifully illustrated drawings by Sanjana Singh, a botanical illustrator and digital designer based in Goa. The book has essential identification keys that illuminate the significance of fungi and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Future editions are planned but the current edition can be purchased from the Nuvedo website or bought at select local bookstores in Bengaluru.
Kini and Hameed hope that all of their efforts will result in the decline of misconceptions that mushrooms exist solely as food or are dangerous organisms that we need to be wary of.
“Understanding and preserving mycelial networks is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and sustainability. [To improve people’s understanding and knowledge about mushrooms and fungi], they can participate in foraging walks, attend workshops, read educational materials like our field guide, engage with online communities dedicated to mycology and observe fungi in their natural habitats,” they say.