In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Introduction to Bamboo Flowering in Mizoram 2. Bamboo Flowering Causes Famine 3. Preventive Measures for Eradicating Famine.
Introduction to Bamboo Flowering in Mizoram:
Bamboo belongs to the tribe Bambusae of Poaceae Family. They occur in large tracts throughout Mizoram from sea level to 1520 m but, their distribution is restricted to 1500 m and above. They occur in pure form along river courses, abandoned Jhum lands, inaccessible hill sides and the below cliffs; they also intermingled with the trees, forming secondary story in primary forests and they also constitute secondary forests mixed with their associates, such as Anogeisus acuminata, Callicarpa arborea, Aporusa octandra, Duabanga grandiflora, Gmelina arborea, Albizia procera, Macaranga denticulate, etc.
Earlier workers like Fischer (1938) recorded only a few bamboo species; Verma & Bahadur (1980) recorded one species (Melocanna bambusoides); Naithani (1987) and the State Forest Department recorded 18 species, and Lalramnghinglova (1995, 1997) have recorded 20 species which are recently compiled by Savant (1998) with detailed account of culm-stock values.
The bamboo species so far identified in Mizoram with past and present uses are given below:
Bamboo houses are constructed for shelter by the ethnic minority groups (e.g, Bawm, Pang, Bru and Chakma); the ‘bamboo store-houses’ are also built near their houses or within the ‘bamboo house’ itself for storing-up food-grains and ‘bamboo-torches’ are still in use for catching land crabs at night time for their food.
Bamboo Flowering Causes Famine:
The bamboo flowering and fruiting causes famine. The famine caused by the flowering of Bambusa tulda Roxb. (Raw-thing) is called “Thing-tam” (Thing = Raw-thing; tam – famine, a dearth), and the famine caused by Melocanna baccifera (Roxb.) Kurz (Mau-tak) is called “Mau-tam” (Mau – bamboo; Mautak). The periodic flowering cycle of these two species is 48 years which coincides with the outbreak of famine. These two species are the most common and most widely used bamboo resources.
The gap period between, Thingtam famine and Mautam famine is 30 years and that of Mautam and Thingtam is 18 years while Mautam is more severe than that of Thingtam. Such famines are believed to occur or have happened in 1724. 1785, 1833, 1881, 1929. and the last of which occurred in 1977. In the case of Thingtam, the Mautam famine occurred in 1767, 1815, 1863, 1911, and the last of which was happened in 1959. The next Mautam is due to set-in in the year 2007 A.D. inevitably.
Another incident that took place just before the on-set of famine is up swarm of insects called “Thangnang” (not identified), whose host tree branches cannot withstand the weight, and an upsurge multiplication of rats population which feed upon the bamboo fruits.
The comment of one British Officer Br. Ellas Colonel in 1881 Thingtam famine is quoted below-
“The famine arose from the depredation of rats who multiplied exceedingly the previous year’s owing to the ample food they obtained from the seedlings of bamboo”.
The rat population like an infantry begun to attack the paddy fields and in a matter of one night or two, the paddy fields were left with only dead straws. The physiological mechanism of bamboo flowering is not known.
Preventive Measures for Eradicating Famine Caused due to Bamboo Flowering:
The preventive measures taken in the last Mautam Famine (1959) are summarized as follows:
(a) The government arranged food supply through road transportation, air-droppings and ferries and boots.
(b) The government took great relief-measures like gratuitous relief, relief work, subsidy, medical-aid and facility, agricultural schemes and loans, famine relief vehicles and godown facilities.
(c) The government also offered heavy price for killing of rats which was evidenced by production of the tails of rats.
(d) Some neighbouring states donated cash payments towards the relief measures.
An important organisation called ‘Anti-Famine Campaign Organisation’ (AFCO) was formed in 1957 has, laid down some guidelines, including:
(1) Evolve techniques of precautionary measures against the periodic famine and other natural calamities.
(2) Evolve scientific way of jhuming and intensive cultivation of cash crops.
(3) Control of insect pests and other diseases against crop damage.
(4) Preservation and conservation of land in a judicious way.
(5) Improve roads and communications.
(6) Proper storage of surplus food-stuff.
Dr. Barthakur, Science Technology and Environment Cell, Planning Dept. Govt. of India has suggested the following preventive measures:
(1) Synchronisation of bamboo flowers, mass collection of fruits and preservation of seeds as fodder.
(2) Scientific experimental study of seeds, natural rodent control and phenomenal flowering of Dendrocalamus spp.
(3) Introduction of economically important crops/plants supplementing famine food in large scale cultivation.
(4) Paddy field surrounded by a pool of water so that the rodents cannot cross over.
Recently, a State Level Committee on Rodent Control was formed on 24.5.1997 and the Committee has proposed the following precautionary measures to be taken-up in view of the next Mautam famine to occur in 2007 A.D.
(5) To invite Rodent specialist from the Govt. of India for early interaction with the Committee on Rodent Control.
(6) To collect data and literature on bamboo flowering and fruiting from the various institutions of the country.
(7) To encourage killing of rats with the help of indigenous traps like ‘Mangkhawng (killing of rats by a falling log), ‘Thangehepl’ and ‘Vaithang’ (Noose-traps) right from now onwards.
(8) To conserve tree seedlings in the jhum at the time of cultural operations.
(9) Preparation of comprehensive schemes for funding towards research, rodenticide, awareness campaign, indigenous traps and prize for chasing and killing of rats.
(10) Formation of District-Level Rodent Control Committee.
Over viewing and comparing the above remedial measures, two things came-up in mind which must be closely looked at:
(1) Storage of Food-Grains:
The government must be ready to store-up sufficient foodgrains that the nearest possible localities of interior inaccessible villages to facilitate easy head-load system. It may be appropriated here to adopt the method of the Godman Joseph, who stored-up food-grains for seven years for the next seven years of famine.
(2) Conservation of Tree Seedlings in Jhum:
This is a new technique of tree seedlings conservation in the jhum during the course of cultural operations. The technique has been developed by the farmers themselves in their jhum cultural operations. This cultural conservation of tree seedlings or Agro-cultural tree seedlings conservation or simply natural regeneration should be encouraged to replace the tangyaga system of teak plantations in current jhums owing to the judicious utilization of land on a sustainable basis. The growth can reduce the mass growth of bamboos; the secondary successors of fallow lands and decomposition of the composite litters enrich soil nutrients.
A very important aspect, which has never been taken into account, is ‘wild famine food plants’ upon which the victimised rural poor people derived their food for sustenance. Some wild food plants are not merely supplementary but complementary to famine food and become the main food items during acute famine.
It has identified common wild edible plants; however, in-depth study is essential to obtain data for sustainable harvest, nutritional value and conservation aspect of biological resources. Another important area of study is to take up proper research project on bamboo in Mizoram with an aim to achieve the phenomenal characteristics of bamboo flowering species with special emphasis on Bambusa tulda Roxb., Melocanna baccifera, (Roxb.) Kurz and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn.ex Muaro which are bring about famine in the State.
The research outline for the above trust areas are suggested as given below:
(1) Research on Bamboo Species:
A three-year period of time may be devoted to collection, identification and systematic documentation of bamboo species; delineation of maps to locate their specific localities, the phonological and physiological characters, the sprouting system, the past and present utilization of each species supported by accessory documentation estimation of nutritive value, mode of propagation, a critical review of bamboo flowering and the subsequent famines may be clearly stated with the help of primary and secondary sources. The report should also contain concrete proposals for future line of action.
(2) Research on Wild Food Plants:
The problem should be clearly identified; why wild edible food plants are so important in the economy of rural urban communities. Collection of wild food plants consumed by different ethnobiocultures present in Mizoram, proper identification and systematic documentation of each species are of paramount importance.
The investigation should include the plant parts used, the preparation, local processing and dietary, careful estimation of mode of extraction. Exploitation, ethnic agro-ecosystem subsistence agriculture, land races, cultural conservation aspects, the propagation methods, cultivation, recommendations and concrete proposals for future line of action towards the upliftment of the rural economy in a sustained basis. Determination of nutritive value of important species may be taken-up along with known computed data available through various resources.
The methodology can be generated through the cooperation of the Non-Government Organisations, particularly, the Young Mizo Association (Y.M.A.), the largest voluntary organisation in Mizoram and All Mizoram Farmers Union (AMFU). The largest Farmers Union in Mizoram, and the, Environment and Forest Department as a Nodal Department, are in the joint-venture programmes. A three year period of time may be given to complete the project work.
Conclusion:
The sporadic bamboo flowering has already begun in some areas, probably leading to the inevitable Mautam famine in just 8 years ahead of us. It is a high time to turn-up scientists of national and international capacities to interact with the impending danger of famine due to bamboo flowering and to unhesitantly advice the State Government the control measures to overcome the epidemic event, Famine 2007 A.D.