World Bamboo Day is celebrated annually on the 18th of September. It serves as a day to acknowledge the importance of bamboo in various sectors. The theme for 2020 was ‘Bamboo Now’. The World Bamboo Organization officially established this event during the 8th World Bamboo Congress in Bangkok back in 2009.
The World Bamboo Organization
The World Bamboo Organization was established at the International Bamboo Congress in Japan in 1992. This international organization aims to promote bamboo utilization and products for the sake of environmental and economic sustainability.
Properties and Applications of Bamboo
Known as ‘poor man’s timber’, bamboo is a versatile plant, with up to 1,500 different uses including food, a substitute for wood, building and construction material, paper, and handicrafts. Its ability to reclaim severely degraded sites and wastelands also contributes to its environmental significance. The plant sequesters about 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare. Moreover, it can release 35% more oxygen than most trees, making it the fastest-growing canopy.
Bamboo in the Fight Against Covid-19
Recently, bamboo has been utilized in the manufacture of new antimicrobial soaps and hand mists. Scientists from the Philippines have developed these products to help combat the novel coronavirus.
Nutraceutical Properties of Bamboo Shoots
Experts have found that bamboo shoots have nutraceutical properties. They are being recognized as high-value, safe edibles as well as cheap immunity boosters. Containing 17 amino acids, eight of which are essential for the human body, fresh bamboo shoots’ protein content can range from 1.49% to 4.04%.
Global Market of Bamboo Shoots
The current global market for bamboo shoots is around 1,700 million USD. Approximately three million tonnes of bamboo shoots are consumed worldwide annually. China is the leading exporter, accounting for about 68% of the world’s bamboo and rattan products which is valued at 1,112 million USD according to INBAR.
Indian Bamboo Scenario
India stands out as a significant player in the bamboo sector. It has the largest area covered with bamboo (13.96 million hectares) and ranks as the second-richest country in bamboo diversity after China. The bamboo-rattan industry in India was worth Rs. 28,005 crore in 2017 and most of the production and consumption of bamboo shoots are confined to the north-eastern States.
Efforts to Promote the Use of Bamboo in India
Several initiatives have been undertaken to boost the bamboo sector in India. These include the inauguration of 22 bamboo clusters across nine states, revision of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) that includes bamboo, and the relaunch of the National Bamboo Mission.
National Bamboo Mission
The National Bamboo Mission was relaunched in 2018-19 for holistic development of the bamboo sector. Using a hub and spoke model, this initiative aims to support local artisans by promoting locally grown bamboo species, hence actualising the goal of Vocal for Local.
Legal Amendments and Formation of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
In 2017, the Indian Forest Act of 1927 was amended to remove bamboo from the category of trees, eliminating the need for a felling and transit permission for cultivating and trading bamboo and its products. To provide various kinds of assistance to farmers, 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) will be formed over the next five years.
Future Implications for India
Promoting bamboo shoots as a super-food could help alleviate malnutrition and hunger in India. With value-addition and diversification in new-age food products like vegetable protein concentrates, its market potential and consumer acceptability can be enhanced. It’s suggested that states take forward the objectives of the National Bamboo Mission to contribute to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan initiative through Aatmanirbhar Krishi (self-reliant farming).
