Management of bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) forests in Western Himalayas

Abstract

The paper describes the management and yield regulation of Dendrocalamus strictus forests of Western Himalayas. The study covered an area of 284.12 ha. The forests were stock mapped and partial enumeration carried out. Growing stock and annual increments were assessed (average clumps 911.2/ha; average number of culms 37.794/clump and 34,438/ha; average number of manus 5,566/ha). Forests are to be managed under Selection System. The entire forests shall be worked together on a felling cycle of 4 years. The yield is to be regulated by number of bamboos recruited during the felling cycle. Provisions of cleaning for the removal of dead, dry, decay, and congested culms is made to improve and maintain the healthy clumps. Average yield of 12,000 bamboos (27 tonnes air dry) against gross increment of 20,000 bamboos per ha during the felling cycle is prescribed. For the entire forest the prescribed yield of bamboos will be 6,00,000 numbers with an approximate weight of 1,350 tonnes. With the scientific management of forests and strict compliance of felling rules, the forests will achieve normalcy in due course to provide sustained yield in perpetuity.