-Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Have you really experienced the beauty of Holland Bamboo, or do you just drive through?

The two and a half miles 'avenue' of bamboos on the main road between Lacovia and Middle Quarters is said to have been planted by the owners of Holland Estate in the 17th century to provide shade in the heat of the St. Elizabeth savannah. Today, it is a south coast attraction for tourists and locals alike.

Holland Bamboo was battered by Hurricane Ivan, but it still remains attractive. It is maintained by the staff of the Hope Botanic Gardens in St. Andrew.

Ann-Marie Buggan, who specialises in the sale of fruit baskets and Rasta tams in the area, notes that Holland Bamboo had more visitors before the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) travel halt in 2005.

"We used to have a regular tour on a Tuesday and on Thursday, but since last October things are very bad," she said.

Now that fewer tourists come, she makes a living by selling jelly coconuts, bottled water and drinks to locals. Jamaicans apparently are not fond of crafts, although they will occasionally buy Rasta tams.

CALMING EFFECT

The 21/2-mile long tunnel of Holland Bamboo is said to have a calming effect on travellers.

In April 2006, National Environ-ment and Planning Agency, the TPDCo and the Ministry of Agriculture launched a project to resuscitate Holland Bamboo.

The effort involved the cleaning of the roots of existing shoots and the replanting of plant stock to fill the gaps left by Hurricane Ivan. The hurricane had also caused the thinning of the canopy.

The grazing of cattle, the harvesting of bamboo by residents in the area, who use it to make fish pots, have also depleted the once lush plants lining the avenue.

According to NEPA, the project also included an effort to educate residents in and around Holland Bamboo on how to care and maintain bamboo, as well as to discourage harvesting by residents.

Worldwide, there are over 1000 species of bamboo which range from ground cover bamboo that at maturity are only a few inches high, to giant bamboo which can grow up to 100 feet tall.

Bambusa Vulgaris species

The variety planted on Bamboo Avenue is said to be the Bambusa vulgaris species, which is the largest variety introduced in Jamaica.

Should you be passing through Holland Bamboo soon, stop a while and drink a water coconut while enjoying the shade of the towering trees.

Buggan, the mother of four children, who has been selling in the area for 12 years, comments "The bamboo is very cool and they are just beautiful to look at."

For someone who has been there so long, the appeal remains strong and true. The avenue has had its fair share of hurricanes and fires, but it survives.

- Outlook Team