General information on bamboo and its usage

Bamboo is the common name for about 45 genera of a perennial treelike plant.

Structure and characteristics

The plant's stems, called culms, consist of hollow sections called internodes which are interrupted by regularly spaced nodes, giving bamboo its jointed appearance. . At each node a sheath protects a bud, which may develop into either a branch or an inflorescence (flower cluster). Bamboo stems develop from horizontal, underground rhizomes (thickened plant stems). The tips of new shoots are protected by overlapping scales, which are shed as the internodes elongate. Initially, new shoots grow slowly, but the growth rate increases rapidly and may reach nearly 60 cm (24 in) per day in some gigantic tropical species. The main shoot does not bear leaves and usually does not produce branches until it is fully elongated; The culms of bamboos are green because they contain abundant chlorophyll in the tissue immediately below the surface. Thus, the culms serve as a major photosynthetic surface, especially because they elongate before the leaves themselves develop. All members of a particular species flower at the same time, and the plants die shortly after flowering and setting their seed. The individual species are perpetuated by the seed or by new culms sprouted from rhizomes. The plants range from stiff reeds about 1 m (about 3 ft) tall to giants reaching 50 m (164 ft) in height and 30 cm (12 in) in diameter near the base. Most bamboos are erect, but some are viny, producing impenetrable thickets in some areas.

Uses of Bamboo

Bamboos are among the plants most widely used by humans. In the tropics they are used for constructing houses, rafts, bridges, and scaffolding. Split and flattened culms can be used as flooring and interwoven to make baskets, mats, hats, fish traps, and other articles; culms of large species may be used as containers for liquids. Paper is made from bamboo pulp, and fishing rods, water pipes, musical instruments, and chopsticks from other parts. Many bamboos are planted as ornamentals, and young shoots are eaten as a vegetable. The grain is also a food.
Bamboo can be used for making bamboo charcoal which has been shown to possess many uses including.

·         For odour and humidity protection(By placing charcoal packs in car,shoerack,wash room and kitchen)

·         For electromagnet(EM) wave protection(By placing bamboo charcoal near electrical appliances like computers to dissipate the EM waves)

·         For bedding.(Bamboo charcoal support pillow and mattress promoter promotes a deeper sleep)

·         For skin care(Bamboo charcoal spa gives the bather a revitalizing hot spring experience)

·         For Water Purification & Cooking Rice(If you put 50 to 60 grams of bamboo charcoal in one litre of water, you will increase the mineral content and soften the water, making it excellent for drinking)

• For Fish Tanks (By placing bamboo charcoal pieces in the tank to keep the water clean and healthy for the fishes).

·         For Gardening(By putting bamboo charcoal pieces in flower pots so as to neutralise the oxidised soil through improved aeration)

·         Bamboo vinegar (A by-product of charcoal production, bamboo vinegar is made by cooling moist smoke from the kiln. It is used for many purposes, from anti-bacterial agents and agricultural insecticides to deodorants, bath additives, and products to enhance health and beauty. It has a strong and signature burnt smell.)

• Scientific reports show that wood/bamboo vinegar can help in these areas:
• Prevent Hair loss
• Soften Skin
• Repel Insects
• Relieve Itching
• Reduce Foot Odour
• Aid in Sanitation
• Relieve Athlete's Foot
• Eliminate Inflammation
• Enhance Soil Quality

• Torrefied bamboo.(This is a 100% renewable biomass fuel that is an alternative to fossil coal.It can be used as a pollution free  sustainable biomass fuel because it is smokeless and odourless)

 

Anticipated Impacts and Mitigation Measures

The proposed bamboo farming and propagation will have several impacts to the immediate residents and the larger community

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Positive impacts.

• Preservation of the environment and conservation of the larger Kenyan ecosystem especially in water tower areas.
• Will lead to increased income for the target communities due to the associated benefits that will be accrued from selling  of bamboo products
• Planting of bamboo along the riparian section of the targeted rivers will reduce incidences of soil erosion ,flash floods and sedimentation and this will improve the flow of water  downstream
• There is a potential for job creation opportunities from the associated business opportunities that are likely to present themselves.
• Improved food security in the project area. This is because bamboo shoots and grain can be used as food thereby substituting the conventional staple foods,
• Improvement of aesthetic value and scenery beauty of the project area especially in areas that had been dilapidated.
• Regulate human use of the ecosystem by providing alternative sources of products and income to meet their requirements,
• To provide an opportunity for scientific research

Negative impacts.

• Reduction of land space for subsistence farming

Conclusions and Recommendations:- I leave that to you dear reader to comment and give your verdict...........................................