Importance of bamboo for immediate earthquake recovery: A study from Nepal

This study was conducted in four districts of Nepal, Sindhupalchok, Gorkha, West Rukum and Jajarkot. It analyzed the importance of bamboo in immediate earthquake response and recovery. A total of 464 respondents were sampled from four districts struck by earthquakes. 83% of the households had bamboos on their own land, as well as trees such as Pinus spp., Castanopsis spp. and Schima wallichii. 85% of the households used bamboo for pillars, poles, and other supporting materials to hold and adjust roofing and wall materials during the time of the disasters. Moreover, 96% households believed that bamboos were highly useful and thus significant during the time of disasters such as earthquakes. People were aware of the importance of bamboo for coping with disasters; however, they were lacking appropriate knowledge about the socio-economic and environmental significance of bamboo species due to limited knowledge and research.