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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