World Bamboo Day Celebrated
Jawaharlal
Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
18th
September 2012
Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and
Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India,
celebrated the World Bamboo Day on 18th September 2012 with fervor
and enthusiasm. Following were the programmes.
1. Education programme for:
1. One batch of 25 BSc students & their teachers 2.. Biodiversity Management Committee of Peringammala Panchayath (local self Government)
3.Three NGOs
2. Demonstrations:
i. Bamboo propagation and planting, conducted by scientists and
technical staff of JNTBGRI
ii.
Bamboo craft making by traditional craftsmen
3. Sapling distribution:
Inaugural distribution of Bambusa pallida seedlings from a clump
in the Bambusetum:
4. Bamboo planting ceremony:
5. Bamboo identification
contest:
The programme was held in the Bambusetum, under
the beautiful canopy of bamboo clumps. Seventy participants including students
and members of three NGOs took part. They included:
1.
Botany Graduate students from Iqbal College, Peringammala,
2.
Upper primary Students and teachers from SN UP school,
Kollayil
3.
Biodiversity Management Committee of Peringammala Panchayath
(local self Government)
4.
Members from Kerala Sastrasahitya Parishath, Palode
5.
Fighters Eco-Club, Nanniyode
The function started at 10 am. Dr P G Latha, Director,
JNTBGRI delivered an inaugural address. She explained in detail the
significance of JNTBGRI Bambusetum. It is the largest and the best scientifically
maintained Bambusetum in India harbouring 69 species spread out in an area of
16.28 acres. She made the inaugural distribution of the seedlings of Bambusa pallida
to the participants (please see details
of the species at the end).
Dr P J Mathew, Head, Plant Genetic Resources
Division, JNTBGRI explained the history of this Bambusetum and how this has
grown into such a level during the last 25 years. He praised the dedicated
efforts of the Bamboo Biology group and said that this would be a source for
future bamboo research and India.
Dr K C Koshy, Scientist and leader of Bamboo Biology
group, JNTBGRI, spoke on the general aspects of bamboo, its systematics,
distribution, economic uses and its potential in the modern world as a
biodegradable material. He explained various services offered through the Bambusetum.
The
Bambusetum functions as a demo plot for farmers to understand the qualities of
each species before they select the suitable one for cultivation as per their need. Saplings of various species are being
provided from the Bambusetum. Living collections help taxonomists study them at
close quarters. Easy access to species and samples attract researchers from
other scientific fields thus paving way for interdisciplinary studies on
bamboos. Bamboo clumps favour growth of a variety of organisms such as fungi,
lichens, mushrooms, slugs, snails and ants, opening opportunities for studying
such groups.
Demonstration
of bamboo weaving by traditional communities was the cynosure of the
programme. Six traditional bamboo craft
workers from Kani and Paraya tribal communities demonstrated their weaving skill
which was well appreciated by young and old participants. The baskets, mats etc
made by them were purchased by the participants.
Demonstration
on bamboo propagation and planting conducted by Mr B. Gopakumar and K.
Asokachandran Nair included the traditional offset planting, seed planting,
improvised offset size reduction, tiller separation, culm and branch cuttings,
layerings etc.
As a mark of the day, a species collected by
Mr. N. Salahudeen from Arunachal Pradesh was planted by Dr. P. J. Mathew, in presence
of participants.
The student participants enthusiastically
participated in the bamboo identification contest.
During the feedback session participants
expressed their desire to involve in such workshops and follow up programmes in
future. The programme ended at 1.30 pm and thereafter participants joined for
lunch.
About the bamboo species distributed
Bambusa
pallida Munro is distributed in North East India, Myanmar,
Laos and Thailand. The species was introduced to JNTBGRI Bambusetum from Forest
Research Institute, Dehra Dun on 17.9.1988. This clump flowered after 23 years
of its introduction and set seeds. Seedlings raised were distributed to farmers, NGOs and
visitors.
Dr K C Koshy
Scientist E2
20 September 2012
