Storm fury devastates bamboo orchards in Upper Assam, livelihoods and ecology hit

Powerful storms accompanied by gale-force winds and heavy rainfall have caused widespread damage to bamboo orchards across Upper Assam, severely affecting both rural livelihoods and local ecosystems, officials and residents said.

Districts including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo and Sivasagar were among the worst hit, with reports indicating that more than 4,400 houses were damaged and nearly 18,000 people affected by the extreme weather events.

Locals described extensive destruction of bamboo groves, often referred to as the region’s “green gold,” which form a crucial part of the rural economy. “Years of nurturing vanished in a single night,” a farmer from Baghjan in Tinsukia said, reflecting the widespread distress among cultivators.

Apart from economic losses, the damage has raised concerns over ecological impacts. Bamboo orchards serve as important habitats for birds, small mammals, reptiles and insects, providing shelter, nesting grounds and food sources. They also play a key role in soil stability and maintaining biodiversity.

Experts warn that the destruction could have long-term consequences, as bamboo ecosystems are increasingly under stress due to changing climatic patterns. Studies indicate that a significant portion of bamboo-growing areas is already affected by human disturbance, while erratic rainfall and rising temperatures are weakening plant resilience.

Northeast India, which hosts a rich diversity of bamboo species, is now facing growing threats, with experts cautioning that continued extreme weather events could reduce biomass, fragment habitats and heighten risks of human-wildlife conflict.

Environmentalists have called for urgent measures, including adoption of climate-resilient agroforestry practices, restoration of damaged groves, and stronger policy support to safeguard bamboo resources and the communities dependent on them.