Gandhi DARANG
ITANAGAR, Aug 14: Arunachal Pradesh particularly the Itanagar Capital Region had witnessed massive bamboo flowering this year leading to high rise in temperature.
According to survey data released by the State Forest Research Institute (SFRI), bamboo species like Bambusa pallida (Hos/Bijuli) was recorded flowering during survey in entire areas of Sangdupota, Balijan, Itanagar, Kimin, Doimukh and some pockets of Papum Pare district. This species also blossomed in the upper ridge of Papum Pare such as Sagalee, Tapioso, Laow, Mengio and Leporiang circles during February-April in 2022-23.
Bambusa nutans was also reportedly flowering in some parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam border particularly in Chessa, Hollongi and Balijan area. Bambusa vulgaris was recorded flowering in Van Vigyan Kendra (VVK), Chessa during the months of June and July.
Chimonobambusa graffithinia (Budh) was recorded flowering in Papum Pare, Pakke Kessang, Lower Subansiri, East Kameng, Kurung Kumey and Kra Daadi districts at the elevation of 1500 to 2000 metres above mean sea level.
SFRI scientist RK Taj said that many households are likely to be affected due to rodent and insect pest population outbreaks because of mass bamboo flowering which may cause damage to crops.
He added that the rodent damage may continue for one causing severe shortage of food grains and other crops particularly under jhum cultivation in the entire area and there will be severe shortage of bamboo based construction materials for another 5-6 years.
Taj further revealed that this year there was an increase in temperature at the state capital because of the impact of bamboo flowering.
“Global warming and climate change has drastically affected this year because of bamboo flowering in the region, particularly the state capital. It has lowered down the sequestration rate of carbon”, he said, adding that loss of vegetation because of deforestation is also one of the reasons for rising temperature in Itanagar Capital Region.
The scientist also informed that there has been degradation in the water ecological system in ICR which has been polluted with chemicals, plastic bottles and toilets.
He further said that the temperature in India rose to 51 degree Celsius this year and may deteriorate more in coming days if proper steps are not taken to control it.
“We have to conserve the soil and environment, and plant more trees to fill up the human destruction”, he added.
Bamboo is one of the tallest grasses in the world and it has also been the best and number one plant for carbon sequestration.