Imphal, August 09: Large tract of standing crops, specially paddy in the jhum fields have been reportedly destroyed by rodents in Tamenglong district as a consequence of the phenomenon of bamboo flowering in the district which aid in reproduction of large number of rodents.

In a statement, the project director of Social Action for Rural Environment and Economic Development Services, Nungba Johny Acham Gangmei informed that a large tract of paddy fields cultivating Angan Phou in Thingou, Okoklong, Bolongdai, Bwanruangh, Kambiron, Siguilong, etc under Nungba Sub-Divisions have been destroyed by the rodents just before harvesting.

It is very likely that the same thing is also happening in other parts of Tamenglong district, he said.

Giving a detailed explanation on the phenomenon of bamboo flowering and its resulted famine, he said that the fertility of the rodents increased many fold after eating the seeds of the bamboo flower and when nothing is left for the rodents to eat they started attacking standing crops in the field as well grain stored inside the granary.

Similar phenomenon had occurred during 1950s and there are many living witnesses to the tragedy.

This year too, with widespread bamboo flowering, the population of the rodents have been increased many fold and they have stared attacking standing crops, leaving many a farmers nothing to reap from their fields.

The situation is alarming and if no remedial measures have been taken up at once, outbreak of famine is imminent, he expressed concern.

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