The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has made headlines recently by designing an ‘oxygen park.’ The unique feature of this oxygen park is its prime use of Beema Bamboo, a superior clone selected from Bambusa balcooa, a high biomass yielding bamboo species. This innovative endeavour was guided both by the need for oxygen generation and environmental sustainability.
An Introduction to Beema Bamboo
Beema or Bheema Bamboo, cultivated through conventional breeding methods, is a superior clone derived from Bambusa balcooa. This extraordinary plant is known for its rapid growth, capable of growing up to one-and-a-half feet per day under adequate tropical conditions. This makes it one of the fastest-growing plants recognized to date. Beema Bamboo is often touted as the best ‘carbon sink,’ helping to significantly mitigate detrimental carbon dioxide emissions.
The Unique Properties of Bambusa balcooa
Bambusa balcooa stands apart as a very large, thick-walled, clumping bamboo that grows up to 25 metres in height and reaches a thickness of 150 millimeters. Its exceptional length and strength make it an invaluable resource for the construction industry. Furthermore, this species is drought-resistant with low rainfall requirements, and it can yield more than 100 metric tons per hectare.
Sustainability and Green Cover
The Beema Bamboo exhibits sterile properties, meaning it does not produce any seeds and does not die for several hundred years. Instead, it continues to grow perpetually, providing a permanent green cover. Because these plants are developed through tissue culture, they adapt to various soil and climatic conditions with ease. They also do not require replanting for many decades due to their ability to re-grow after each harvest cycle.
Combating Global Warming and Climate Change
The rhizome and root formation of the Beema Bamboo provide it with a firm foundation, making it highly resilient against natural calamities. As such, it plays a vital role in mitigating global warming and climate change.
Diverse Uses of Beema Bamboo
In addition to its environmental benefits, Beema bamboo has practical applications in several industries. Its calorific value is equivalent to that of coal, making it an increasingly popular choice for boiler fuel among cement industries. Moreover, its fibre is utilized in the textile industry for fabric and garment production. Currently, experts from the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, are exploring the use of Beema Bamboo and coir in designing crash barriers.
Government Initiatives for Bamboo Cultivation
Recognizing the immense potential of bamboo, the Indian government has taken several steps to promote its cultivation and use. Some key initiatives include the establishment of 22 bamboo clusters across nine states, the launch of the restructured National Bamboo Mission in 2018-19, and the removal of bamboo from the ‘tree’ category under the Indian Forest Act 1927.
The Future of Beema Bamboo
With around 3 trillion trees on Earth and sufficient space for an additional 1.2 trillion trees, there lies an untapped potential in using plants like Beema Bamboo to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and combat climate change. Therefore, choosing Beema Bamboo could be a more sustainable and eco-friendly option for greening our planet.
