The Decline of "Utheemu Onu "Male Bamboo", Iron Bamboo, in the Maldives: From Abundance to Scarcity in the Wake of Modernization Introduction

"Male' Bamboo", Iron Bamboo"

The Maldives, a tropical archipelago in the Indian Ocean, was once dotted with bamboo trees across its islands, including the capital, Male’. Known as bamboo was a versatile

resource integral to the daily lives of Maldivians, particularly in crafting fishing poles

for the traditional pole-and-line fishing method that sustained the nation’s economy. However, by the 1970s, the landscape of the Maldives began to change dramatically. The rise of fiberglass rods for fishing and the burgeoning tourism industry marked a turning point, leading to a significant decline in bamboo trees, to the point of near disappearance.

Historical accounts, such as those by Maizan Umar Manik, suggest that a special type of bamboo, referred to as "Male Bamboo" (Dendrocalamus strictus),is favored for fishing rods , was once cultivated on Utheemu Island, possibly introduced during the 16th century. the historical role of bamboo in the Maldives, the factors contributing to its decline, and the cultural and environmental implications of this transformation.

Historical Significance of Bamboo in the Maldives

Bamboo has long been a vital resource in the Indian Ocean region, valued for its strength, flexibility, and rapid growth. In the Maldives, bamboo was particularly significant for fishing communities, who relied on it to craft durable fishing poles for the pole-and-line method, a sustainable technique central to Maldivian tuna fishing. According to Maizan Umar Manik, a special variety of bamboo, known as "Utheemu Onu" Commonly known as "Male Bamboo", Solid Bamboo and in Calcutta India, the scientific Dendrocalamus strictus - Wikipedia General botanical and ecological data from Poaceae family studies and bamboo cultivation resources. "cultivated on Utheemu Island, a northern atoll with historical importance as the birthplace of Maldivian hero Muhammad Thakurufaanu. This bamboo, possibly introduced in the 16th century during the height of Indian Ocean trade, was likely valued for its specific qualities, such as flexibility and strength, making it ideal for fishing poles and other implements.

The 16th century marked a period of robust trade connections between the Maldives and regions like Bengal and Calcutta, facilitated by maritime routes and the Portuguese presence (1558–1573). While bamboo was not a primary export like cowrie shells or coir, its products, including fishing poles, were part of the local economy and likely traded in small quantities. The reference to "Male Bamboo" in Calcutta suggests that this variety may have been recognized for its unique characteristics, possibly due to its adaptation to the Maldives’ coral-based environment. Bamboo’s role extended beyond fishing, as it was used in construction, crafting baskets, and other daily necessities, reinforcing its status as a cultural and economic staple in Maldivian life.

The 1970s: A Turning Point for Bamboo in the Maldives

The 1970s marked a significant shift in the Maldives’ socio-economic landscape, driven by two key developments: the introduction of fiberglass fishing rods and the rapid growth of the tourism industry. These changes had profound effects on the presence of bamboo across the islands.

1. Shift to Fiberglass Rods

   
   

   As years went by, the Bamboo rods were getting scarce in the market. Besides, the treatment of the bamboo after fishing must be done very carefully. The Bamboo rods had to be kept under shade when not in use, or they would dry and get brittle due to the heat of the sun during the days when not fishing, so it was always bundled up and put into the sea by tying them beside the boat at anchorage.  Much work and care, which the fiberglass rods do not require, keeping it covered is all the care it needs.

    Advantages and Disadvantages of the type of rods.

   It has been noted that physical strength applied to fiber rods is higher than against Bamboo rods; furthermore, the time to bring the fish on the FRP rod takes a few seconds longer, since it bends more rather than the Bamboo rod.

   
   

2. Impact of Tourism

   
   

   The 1970s also saw the birth of the Maldives’ tourism industry, with the first resorts opening in 1972. Tourism brought significant development, including land reclamation, urbanization, and the construction of modern infrastructure, particularly in Male’ and other inhabited islands. Bamboo groves, once common across the islands, were cleared to make way for resorts, hotels, and urban expansion. The environmental impact of tourism, coupled with the lack of incentive to maintain bamboo plantations due to the shift to fiberglass, contributed to the rapid decline of bamboo trees. By the late 20th century, bamboo had become scarce, with groves that were once a familiar sight in Male’ and other islands nearly disappearing.

The Case of Utheemu’s “Utheemu Onu ” Male Bamboo, Iron Bamboo, 

Calcutta Bamboo Poles description and use

referred to as the "Green Gold" of the 21st Century .

In West Bengal, the region where Kolkata is situated, natural bamboo forests and plantations can be found, including those along rivers such as the Bhagirathi and Hooghly.

On Utheemu Island, young bamboo shoots thrive in the fertile surroundings, showcasing lively green leaves and sturdy stems.

Male Bamboo or Iron Bamboo / Photo Credit Calcutta Bamboo Pole

The reference to its introduction in the 16th century aligns with the period of heightened trade suggesting that it may have been brought to the Maldives through maritime exchanges with South Asia or Southeast Asia, where bamboo was abundant. This bamboo’s recognition in Calcutta indicates its value in regional trade networks, possibly as a material for crafting high-quality fishing poles or other tools.

The decline of this bamboo variety mirrors the broader trend across the Maldives. As fishing practices modernized and tourism reshaped the landscape, the need to cultivate specific types of bamboo, like that on Utheemu, waned. The loss of this resource represents not only an environmental shift but also a cultural one, as traditional knowledge about bamboo cultivation and its uses faded with its disappearance.

Environmental and Cultural Implications

The near disappearance of bamboo in the Maldives has significant implications. Environmentally, bamboo is a sustainable resource, known for its rapid growth and ability to prevent soil erosion. Its decline may have contributed to ecological challenges, particularly in a nation vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels. The removal of bamboo groves for tourism development likely exacerbated these issues, as natural vegetation was replaced with concrete infrastructure.

Culturally, the loss of bamboo severed a connection to traditional practices. The pole-and-line fishing method, deeply rooted in Maldivian identity, relied on bamboo as a symbol of self-sufficiency and ingenuity. The shift to fiberglass rods, while practical, marked a departure from these traditions, reflecting a broader trend of modernization that prioritized efficiency over cultural heritage. The disappearance of “ Bamboo” also meant the loss of a unique cultivar, potentially distinct in its properties, which could have had applications beyond fishing, such as in sustainable construction or crafts.

Contemporary Efforts and Reflections

In recent years, there have been efforts to reintroduce bamboo to the Maldives, driven by sustainability goals. For example, the Atmosphere Foundation, in partnership with the Maldives’ environment ministry, launched a project to plant 500 bamboo trees in Hulhumale to support the nation’s carbon-neutral goal by 2030 Atoll Times. Such initiatives highlight bamboo’s potential as a renewable resource in addressing modern environmental challenges. Abdul Aziz Abdul Hakeem, in the 2023 press conference, noted that bamboo was earlier cultivated in the Maldives and used to prepare items such as fishing poles, but the size of the few bamboo plantations in the islands has decreased over the years

Sh.Goidhoo 

 However, these efforts are nascent and do not yet compensate for the widespread loss of bamboo groves that occurred in the 1970s and beyond.

The story of bamboo’s decline in the Maldives serves as a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of modernization and rapid development. While fiberglass rods and tourism brought economic benefits, they came at the cost of a valuable natural and cultural resource. The historical reference to “Male Bamboo” in Calcutta underscores the Maldives’ once-significant place in regional trade networks, where even a modest resource like bamboo held value. Reviving bamboo cultivation could not only restore ecological balance but also reconnect Maldivians with their heritage, fostering a sense of continuity between past and present.

Conclusion

The decline of bamboo in the Maldives, from its abundance in the 1970s to its near disappearance, reflects the complex interplay of modernization, economic shifts, and environmental change. Once a staple for crafting fishing poles and other implements, bamboo was integral to Maldivian life, with a special variety from Utheemu Island earning recognition as “Male Bamboo” in Calcutta, possibly introduced in the 16th century. The rise of fiberglass rods and the tourism boom transformed the Maldives’ landscape, leading to the loss of bamboo groves and the cultural practices tied to them. As the Maldives looks toward a sustainable future, reintroducing bamboo could honor its historical significance while addressing contemporary challenges. The story of bamboo in the Maldives is a reminder that progress, while necessary, must be balanced with the preservation of cultural and environmental heritage.