Edible Bamboo Resources of North Chhotanagpur Division of Jharkhand: Sustainable Utilization by Tribes

Abstract

Six bamboo species (Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa bambos, Bambusa nutan, Bambusa tulda, Dendrocalamus strictus and Dendrocalamus sericeus) has been recorded which are used for the edible purpose in large or small scale in the seven district surveyed of the North Chhotanagpur (NCN) region. Dendrocalamus strictus is the most common edible dominant bamboo species from the view point of delicacy, taste and consumption and found in most of the places. The next dominating edible species is B. bambos (Kanta bans) which is found in 6 districts (except Giridih). As minor species in terms of use as food is concerned, B. balcooa as edible bamboo was found in Giridih & Dhanbad district only. Most frequent edible bamboo species is D. strictus and least frequent species is D. sericeus. D. sericeus was found only at Parasnath hill of Giridih district. The edible young shoots are available only for 2 to 3 months. The production period could be increased up to 6 to 8 months in a year by proper cultivation. Bamboo of young shoots is called ‘Karil’, crushed and fermented wet as ‘Sandhana’ and fermented dry as ‘haua’. The young culms (Karil) are used for making vegetable, curries, chutney etc. The bamboo shoots are widely used as food and it can be eaten in fresh or dry form. The main objective of this research work was to have a scientific documentation of the edible bamboo resources of North Chhotanagpur division of Jharkhand.