Dhanya Matsa
BANGALORE: An event sometimes dreaded by the residents of NorthEast India, is bringing cheer to the people here with bamboo species flowering across the state.
The flowering of Bamboo occurs once in 35-40 years across all the forests including Bandipur, Coorg and Dandeli. It is a simultaneous occurrence every 3540 years, says Dr Shyam Vishwanath, Tree Improvement and Propogation Division, Institute of Wood Science. She adds, as the bamboos die after such gregarious flowering, the seeds sprouted before its death take root within a year.
The seeds or grains, which are produced before the bamboo dies, are much in demand as it cannot be consumed in its fresh form. And now, customers have to shed `100 per kg if they wish to taste it.
"We were driving down to Bangalore from Waynad when we saw some tribals selling these grains. I remember eating them once in my childhood and wanted my children to enjoy the taste of it too. My mother used to make kheer using these grains and a sweetpancake too," says Shyalaja Chandran, a homemaker and resident of Bangalore.
However, NorthEast citizens consider such gregarious flowering of bamboo as an indication of famine. The scientifc reasoning behind this is: each bamboo produces grains of several kilograms giving rise to rat and rodent population in the area. As the rats grow and their food supply stops, they attack nearby farms for food leading to a famine.
However, the tribals and forest department officials are busy sweeping the area for the grains: the former sell it while the latter store it for planting them in other areas. "We are collecting the seeds so that they can be dispersed in other areas as well," says B J Hosmat, Chief Conservator of Forests, Mysore.
"The grains produced from the species Bambusa, found in Bandipur and Waynad areas are similar to rice, while Burma Bamboo now flowering in Coorg produces mustardsized grains," explains Dr Shyam.
This rare occurrence has given a new lease of life to tribals and farmers living in the peripheral areas of forests as they are allowed to collect the grains and sell it for a price that is bringing a smile on their face.