Port Blair, Sep 07: Botanical scientist Dr. Lal Singh discovered the potentiality of bamboo and invented an eco-friendly reusable drinking straw from the Andaman’s. This significant invention was granted patent in the year 2023 by Govt. of India. Botanical Survey of India is an apex taxonomic institute of India is a subordinate office of MoEF&CC which was established in 1890 with prime objective to survey and documentation of plant wealth of the country.
In view of the socio-economy and ecological balance preventing environmental degradation, Scientist from the Botanical Survey of India serving in Islands, made a notable invention, reusable eco-friendly drinking straw: a novel way to replace plastic drinking straws and there is no use of any synthetic hazardous materials in this invention. An endemic bamboo species, Schizostachyum andamanicum is used as a natural source for the invention of natural reusable drinking straw. This invention opens a new avenue for local bamboo growers to explore the possibility of growing the bamboo species in larger areas which will be beneficial economically as well as ecologically. Besides this invention, Dr. Singh also discovered over 20 new species and a new genus as a new to science from Islands.
