With about 136 species, India is one among the richest countries in bamboo resources that help mankind in more than 1500 diverse ways. Although the utilization of juvenile shoots of bamboo in tribal diet of Northeast India is a very old observable fact, its numerous health benefits and potentiality remains uncharted. Apart from being delicious, the bamboo shoots are also rich in minerals and nutrient components such as carbohydrates, proteins, fiber and are low in fat and sugar which could be helpful in mitigating the problem of malnutrition. Few studies also revealed the health benefits of bamboo shoots for the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, weight loss and to improve digestion. Over and above the nutritional values of different species of bamboo shoots, the increasing inclinations towards health awareness among the consumers have emphasized its utilization in modern diet as a health food for boosting the nutritional security. Thus, in the present review, the nutraceutical potentiality of bamboo shoots is explored alongside its various qualities.
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Bamboo (Poaceae), an important non-wood forest resource has been interwoven with the lifestyle of the Bodos and allied tribes of this region since ages but there is as such no documentation of bamboos found in Kokrajhardistrict of Assam, India. Thus, here an attempted have been made to present diversity of bamboo species along with theirutilization by the resident tribes. METHODOLGY: Field visit were conducted for collection coupled with consultation with thepublished literatures, experts for proper identification and extensive interviews with the local people to record the uses andvernacular names. RESULTS: A total of 13 species, 2 varieties and 1 forma under 5 genera were recorded from Kokrajhar district.The genera Bambusa was found to be the most dominating with eight species, two varieties and one forma. The myriad uses ofbamboo by the local as construction material, raw material for pulp and paper industries, agarbati (incense sticks) industries,designing minor craft have also been presented. Of the total 9 species produces edible shoots which forms a favourite item for thetribes.
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