The recent discovery of a variety of animal visitors and predators attracted to the fruit and flowers of Muli bamboo (Melocanna baccifera) by a study has put this unique plant species back in the news. The research unveiled the enormous fruit production potential of this species and established diet preference among its animal visitors, driven mainly by high sugar content in its fruits.
About Muli Bamboo
Muli bamboo is a tropical evergreen species native to the northeastern region of India and Myanmar. Known as the largest fruit-producing bamboo species, it contributes to 90% of the bamboo forests in northeastern India. This plant is easily recognizable due to its diffused clump habit and is often grown for ornamental purposes.
The Phenomenon of ‘Mautam’
Interestingly, Muli bamboo is linked to an unusual ecological event known as ‘Mautam’ which means ‘Bamboo death’ in Mizo and occurs once every 48 years. During ‘Mautam,’ mass bamboo flowering and large-scale fruit production attracts a vast array of animal predators. These include pollen predators like honey bees, fruit predators such as millipedes, slugs, snails, fruit borers, monkeys, rats, porcupines, wild boars, palm civets, seedling predators like rabbits and deer, and insect/pest predators such as ants and mantis.
Impact of Mautam
A noteworthy consequence of Mautam is the rapid multiplication of black rats that feed on the fruit of Muli bamboo. After exhausting the fruit supply, these rats turn towards standing crops, leading to widespread destruction and famines.
Global Initiatives for Bamboo Conservation
To promote awareness about the significance of bamboo and rattan, World Bamboo Day is celebrated every year on September 18. The International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR), a multilateral development organization, works towards the sustainable use and conservation of these species.
Indian Initiatives for Bamboo Conservation
In India, the mission for bamboo conservation includes schemes like National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and the significant legislative amendment in 2017 to the Indian Forest Act 1927, which removed bamboo from the ‘Tree’ category. This amendment promoted bamboo cultivation and business as it eliminated the requirement for felling and transit permission.
UPSC Civil Services Examination: Reflection on Bamboo Policies
The recent UPSC Civil Services Examination (PYQ) addressed the legal status and rights related to bamboo cultivation in the country. The questions explored the amendments in the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, regarding bamboo production. The results shed light on the prevailing policies and their potential impact on forest dwellers and the bamboo industry.
Bamboo’s unique ecology, its role in the ecosystem, and the initiatives undertaken for its conservation reflect its significance. As the world recognizes the importance of sustainable development, further research and initiatives can harness the potential of this versatile plant species while ensuring its preservation for future generations.
