Among the salt-rich deposits of the Chirang river in Manipur’s Imphal valley, researchers examining fossil plant remains have found an astonishingly intact bamboo stem, carrying the marks of long vanished thorns. The emergence of this early Bamboo fossil from Asia is being regarded as a tremendous achievement as it showcases the profound capabilities to rewrite a chapter of the Continent’s botanical history.
Bamboo fossils are extremely rare as their hollow structures and fleshy stems decay rapidly, leaving little trace in the geological record. Scientists from Birbal Sahni Institution of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology(DST), during one of their field surveys in the silt-rich deposits of the Chirang River in Manipur in Imphal valley, witnessed the appearance of a bamboo stem with unusual markings.
A detailed analysis identified these as those scars, prompting further investigation into their identity and significance. Through study of its morphology- its buds and thorn scars were scientifically examined in the laboratory, the research facility was able to identify the genus as Chimonobambusa.
Why is it so special?
This is the first fossil evidence that Thorniness in bamboo- a defence against herbivores – was already present in Asia during the Ice Age. Its preservation is of particular importance; it comes from a period of colder and drier global climates, when bamboo was wiped out in many other regions,including Europe. The Fossil showcases that the harsh ice age conditions restricted the Bamboo’s global distribution; Northeast India provided a safe refuge where the plant could continue to thrive.
The discovery published in the journal Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology is remarkable for capturing fragile details like thorn scars-features that are rarely fossilized. The finding also highlights the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot as a crucial refugium during the ice age. This is also important as such fossils could not have been recovered from Europe or other places, as the colder and drier calamities eliminated Bamboo from such places as Europe, and the warm and humid conditions of Northeast India allowed it to persist further.
The research has been conducted by H Bhatia, P Kumari, N Singh and G Srivastava, adding a new dimension to our understanding of both Bamboo evolution and regional climate history. It also emphasizes the role of this part of Asia in safeguarding biodiversity during times of global stress. Hence, this discovery is not only a botanical milestone but also a profound contribution to Palaeoclimatic and Biographic studies.
Also Read: Uttar Pradesh’s new building bylaws 2025: Easier approvals, faster construction, flexible zoning – Know all about key changes
