Bamboo when we hear this word what comes in our mind. It may be a green jungle of Bamboo or a flute made by bamboo, either a basket made of bamboo or a stick taken by a old person for his support. But have we all explored our versatile friend Bamboo enough. Not much, you would find this after going through the post.
Its more of culture in many part of south east Asia. It has 1,500 different species all over world. So lets talk a little about Bamboo.
Its versatile character and easily availability makes it poor man’s timber and green gold.
Some very interesting facts about Bamboo to start with.
Do you know?
- Origin of word Bamboo comes from ” Mambu” in malay language of Malaysia and Indonesia. No Chinese connection.
- That Bamboo is food for 90% of Pandas.
- Some species of Bamboo can grow up to 1 metre in a day.
- Bamboo is a natural air conditioner as it cools down the surrounding air by approx. 8 degrees in summer.
- Bamboo is drought resistant plant. In drought condition they curl up their leaves.
- First fire cracker is made from bamboo as when it burns it gives a sound because of air filled in hallow part of bamboo.
- First bulb made by Thomas Alva Edison has bamboo filament as it is good conductor of electricity.
Find it interesting, so lets embark on journey to know Bamboo plant in little more details:
Bamboo has become part of rural livelihood in many countries, especially in developing counties like India. Though it grows tall like a tree, it belongs to the grass family Poaceae (Gramineae) of Kingdom Plantae. It’s scientific name is Bambusoideae. It can withstand drought as well as flood.
They are found in almost all the states of the country, from the tropical to the temperate regions and the alluvial plains to the high mountains, the only exception where they do not occur naturally is Kashmir.
Though Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under Bamboo forests, Bamboo culture thrives more in the North Eastern region. From the tender shoots as a delicacy food item to the rice cooked in the hollow of raw bamboo, it is part of everyday life.
Bamboo cultivation techniques and time period taken for growth
Bamboo has an excellent property of regeneration in a very short time period so farmers really love cultivating Bamboo.
The advantage of Bamboo is manifold compared to monoculture tree plantations. After planting, Bamboo clumps start yielding after 4-7 years. It can become part of agro forestry practice in small land holdings. New Bamboo plantations may curb the pressure from deforestation by serving as wood substitutes.
It can be planted to reclaim severely degraded sites and wastelands. It is good soil binder owing to its peculiar clump formation and fibrous root system and hence also plays an important role in soil and conservation.
Benefits of Bamboo as being grass and not a plant
In November 2017, the GoI relaxed the restrictions on harvesting, transit and trade of bamboo to boost the Bamboo economy across the country. In contrast to India, China has achieved great success in growing and showcasing Bamboo forests and products.
Some of principal Bamboo genera occurring in India are as follows:
Arundinacea The samvida arundinacea is also known as Samvida Bambos. They can grow up to a height of 40 metres. Leaves of this species are used for many medicinal purpose. They help in dealing with constipation .
Bambusa tulda is also known as timber bamboo or Bangal Bamboo. Shoots of Bambusa tulda are edible but bitter in taste. It is used mainly for wind break.
Dendrocalamus Strictus is also known as male bamboo or Calcutta Bamboo. They are used mainly in construction of musical instruments, furnitures, rafts.
Gigantochloa atroviolacea is also known as Tropical black Bamboo. It is used in making decoration materials.
Schizostachyum dulloa also known as kadroo and dulloa in parts of Assam and Meghalay. It is smaller than others species and used in making basket and small baskets.
So you might be thinking why do we need to know so much about the bamboo. Because the versatile variety of Uses Bamboo offers. Before that we may want to know the some interesting properties of bamboo.
Properties:
Bamboo is considered to be the most efficient natural resource as far as strength as well as cost wise . Strength of the Bamboo depends upon the species, climatic factors and its moisture content.
Bamboo is strong, though not stronger than timbers like Sal and Teak. Seasoning is a essential pre-requisite for maintaining the appearance and strength of bamboo products and structures. Unseasoned Bamboo is highly susceptible to insects and fungal attack, decay and mechanical degradation.
Seasoning of Bamboos has to be done properly and carefully as rapid drying results in splitting. To prevent cracks during seasoning green bamboos may be split into halves. The bamboos are best dried by air seasoning under overhead cover for 2-3 months. Kiln drying under controlled conditions can be done successfully in about 2-3 weeks.
Bamboo can be cut and split easily with hand saw. Strips of any measurement can be made with knife. Immature bamboos are soft and pliable and can be moulded to desired shape. Bamboo takes polish and paint well.
So various uses of bamboo are endless, if briefly summed up for writing purpose can be as follows:
Uses:
The strength of the culms, their straightness and lightness, combined with hardness, range in size, hollowness, long fibre and easy working qualities, make the bamboos suitable for a variety of purposes.
Whether it is the tender shoots, used for pickles and curries, the slivers, used for tooth picks and meat barbecues, ribs for fans or slats for sun screens, or the dried culm as the sturdy lathi and for construction of the so called Bamboo houses, the versatility of bamboo is legendary.
Bamboo reinforcement was first used in China in 1919 in concrete piles in railways. It is also used for construction purposes.
So its sure that after learning the versatility, you must be wanting to be part Bamboo lifestyle. So you may visit any traditional market /haats around you to get these.
From house construction to flooring, agricultural implements, Bamboo products pervades all aspects of life and culture. you may also find very artistic skills in bamboo weaving from various Bamboo growing regions as per your choice and interest.
To celebrate the Bamboo advantages and to create awareness about the importance of Bamboo as a versatile material for sustainable lifestyle, The World Bamboo Day is celebrated on 18 September every year starting from 2009. The theme of World Bamboo Day 2020 was: Bamboo Now.
Last but not the least. Here’s a teaser for all “Is lucky bamboo really a bamboo”
We all are aware about lucky Bamboo it is indoor plant but do you know that it’s not really a Bamboo it’s even not in the same family of Bamboo. Botanical name of lucky bamboo is Draecena sanderiana and it belongs to family Asperagaceae.
So, In short we can say Bamboo is a evergreen crop & very versatile friend. Hope you all find the post useful in developing a proper understanding of Bamboo culture. Its a sure that you all would like to be a part of technical support to unleash a bamboo revolution that not only has the capacity to uplift the people in the bamboo growing hinterland regions but also provide an economic, social and ecological sustainable option for greener present and future.