Indigenous traditional knowledge in conservation and management of Bamboos of Barak valley, Assam

Bamboo forms an important component in the rural life of Barak Valley, Assam and therefore over the timeperiod people have developed their own traditional management system. Of the 42 species of bamboosdistributed in Assam, 20 species are distributed in Barak valley. The Barak Valley regions has an undulatingtopography characterized by hills (locally known as Tilla), wide plains and low logging waterlogged areas(locally called Beels) inhabited by socio-economically poor populace who are small land holders withpaddy land as the major land use system and day labourer as the primary occupation. Present study revealsplantation development at the periphery of the holdings, propagation through rhizome, selective and clearfellingmethods of culm/clump harvest are some of the indigenous traditional practices being practiced bythe villagers. Present study also provides insight in to the few weaknesses of traditional system that canexacerbate ecosystem disservices resulting from clear-felling managerial system.