Bamboo, Guwahati, Assam, India

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Bamboo, India

When you think about reforestation, bamboo may not be the first thing that you think of. And it’s true, bamboo isn’t technically a tree – but planting and cultivating it is no less beneficial for people and the environment. As the fastest growing grass on the planet, bamboo has incredible potential as a sustainable resource. Its woody stem makes it very tree-like, yet it also has unique properties.

According to Guinness World Records, some species of bamboo can grow up to almost a metre a day. The plant is used for a great variety of purposes, especially in East and Southeast Asia. The seeds of some species are eaten as grain, and the cooked young shoots of some bamboo plants are eaten as vegetables, especially in Chinese cuisine. The raw leaves are a useful fodder for livestock. The pulped fibres of several bamboo species, especially Dendrocalamus strictus and Bambusa bambos, are used to make paper. Bamboo is strong, flexible and virtually fire-proof, and therefore it's an excellent choice for making household items and can be used even for construction purposes.

Here, in today’s picture, you are seeing bamboo plants in Guwahati, Assam, India. Though the plant is native to tropical, sub-tropical and temperate climates (particularly in Asia and South America), it also grows in parts of Australia, Africa and in the southern United States.