Imphal, July 06: Drawing the immediate attention of the Central and State governments over the grievances of the people affected by rodent menace and pest infestation in the wake of bamboo flowering, Tamenglong Assembly Constituency MLA Khangthua-nang Panmei called for appropriate urgent measures to combat the rodent menace and pest infestation and its effects.

It has been reported that there has been food scarcity in the sub-divisions of Tamei, Tousem, Nungba and Tamcnglong following the rodent menace incurred due to bamboo flowering in the district of Tamcnglong.

Around 562 square kilometre of Tamenalong dist.

is covered by bamboos of different species the common among them are D Hamiltonii and Melochan,a Bacifera which have served various purposes to the tribal people of hilly region in Manipur like coconut has done for the South Indians.

Khangthuanang said that 'bamboo is the greatest boon of nature to mankind' while citing its various uses including its utility in building houses, fences, making ropes, walling, and ceiling, apart from use of its shoots as a delicacy in preparing curry and other traditional uses.

Bamboo flowering a natural phenomenon for all plants to produce flowers and fruits for continuation of generation occurs often in between a period of 45 to 50 years.

The MLA recalled that known instance of bamboo (D Hamiltomi) flowering occurred in the year 1955 and continued for about 6-7 years whereas the side effects of the bamboo flowering lasted for 5-10 years where majority of the people suffered from acute shortage of food due to rodent menace, pest infestation of locusts and beetles.

Panmei maintained that the same phenomenon of bamboo flowering resurfaced in the year 1999 which continued till 2006 as a result of which the entire population of D Hamiltonii bamboo species was wipad out from the district.

He rationally pointed out that lost in economy and edible foods are the two prime causes of bamboo flowering Right now there is immense rise in the rodent population which has already started attacking standing crops.

Bamboo flowering, rodent menace and pest infestation are co-related as dying of bamboo plant provides abode for breeding of various harmful pests like locust and beetles, said Khangthuanang Panmei while adding that these rodent and pest in turn attack the standing crops leading to immense human economy.

Saying that bamboo is the basic source of livelihood and economy for the hilly people, the MLA urges the Central and State Govts to act fast and bail the distressed people out from the depression they are into in the wake of the bamboo flowering which reduced them to starve.

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