Thailand bamboo plants cultivated in Uttarakhand

Lal Kuan (Uttarakhand), March 23 (ANI): In a unique development, Thailand bamboo plants have been cultivated for the first time at Forest Research Centre, Lal Kuan, in Uttarakhand.

The state-owned Forest Research Centre has developed over 100,000 Thailand bamboo plants, which it developed using micro-propagation techniques. It is meant to enable them to flourish in the climate usually unsuitable for bamboo.

Bamboo cultivation is being introduced in the area as it has multiple benefits.

"In future, we will go for large scale plantations. Since elephants like it a lot, it can be planted in future as a food source in the region. Secondly, the future of cottage industry is bright in the region. The industry can be developed, on the lines of northeast bamboo industry. So this will help in fulfilling the raw material needs of the cottage industry," said R.S. Bisht, Ranger, Forest Research Centre, Lal Kuan.

Bamboo plants are the favourite food of elephants and these plants will be planted in elephant corridors, and areas of their habitation in the state.

The Forest Research Centre has developed two species of species of the Thailand bamboo.

Later, a study is to be conducted and certified seeds will be produced for commercial sale.

"Since elephants like it, we have planted it in already established elephant corridors. This will help in improving the condition of elephant habitat centres," said Prachi Gungwar, a silviculturist with the Forest Research Centre, Lal Kuan.

The project was started in 2006. Since then many bamboo plants have been grown in the forest. By Vipul Goel (ANI)