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DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

  • 24 November, 2022

  • 5 Min Read

Muli Bamboo

Muli Bamboo

  • A recent research study observed and recorded a wide range of animal visitors/predators drawn to the fruit and flowers of Muli Bamboo (Melocanna baccifera).
  • The study discovered that predation is primarily caused by the high sugar content.
  • It was also reported that a bamboo clump of this species produced the most fruit ever.

What is Muli Bamboo?

  • Muli is a tropical evergreen bamboo species.
  • It is the largest fruit-producing bamboo and is indigenous to northeast India and Myanmar.
  • It accounts for 90% of the bamboo forests in the state's northeast.
  • It is easily identified by its diffused clump habit.
  • The plant is also grown for ornamental purposes.
  • 'Mautam' is an unusual ecological phenomenon associated with Muli Bamboo that occurs every 48 years.
  • Mautam: In Mizo, 'Mautam' means 'Bamboo death' (mau means bamboo and tam means death).
  • The cyclical, mass bamboo flowering and large fruit production occurs during 'Mautam.'
  • Pollen predators (honey bees), fruit predators (millipedes, slugs and snails, fruit borers, monkeys, rats, porcupines, wild boars, and palm civets), seedling predators (rabbits, deer), and insect/pest predators are attracted (ants, mantis).
  • Black rats love the fleshy, berry-like fruit of the Muli Bamboo, and during this time, black rats multiply rapidly, a phenomenon known as the 'Rat Flood.'
  • Once the fruits have been consumed, they begin rapidly devouring standing crops.
  • As a result, famines kill thousands of people.
  • Muli bamboo is known locally as 'Mautak' due to the presence of 'Mautam.'

What are the Initiatives Concerning Bamboo?

Global Projects:

  • Every year on September 18th, the world celebrates World Bamboo Day.

INBAR (International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation):

  • It is a multilateral development organisation dedicated to promoting environmentally sustainable development through the use of bamboo and rattan.
  • INBAR has regional offices in India, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Ecuador, in addition to its Secretariat headquarters in China.

Initiatives for Indians:

  • National Bamboo Mission Bamboo Clusters (NBM)
  • Bamboo removal from the 'Tree' Category:
  • In 2017, the Indian Forest Act of 1927 was amended to remove bamboo from the category of trees.
  • As a result, anyone can cultivate and sell bamboo and its products without the need for a felling and transit permit.

Source: The Hindu


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