Bharat is host to a huge variety of bamboos and reeds. These plants are often seen in the border areas of forests and water bodies, and sometimes appear randomly in other locations.
Different species of bamboo can be prolific, growing rapidly and symbolizing the concept of managing one’s own growth. Young bamboo shoots are edible and are considered food for the soul. Tribals and inhabitants in these border areas have a deep understanding of bamboo.
Bamboo cultivation is not just a topic—bamboo management is the future. Whether dealing with bamboo seeds or handling, they need to be integrated into barren lands. However, this cannot be done in isolation; it requires attention to ecology and biodiversity. Bamboo needs water or its equivalents and will naturally support various bird species. Additionally, it provides a natural habitat for snakes, which help control the population of rats.
To achieve this, bamboo cultivation should be promoted uniformly in semi-urban areas, but in moderation. India has vast tracts of land that are either uncultivated or only marginally cultivated.
Tribals and farmers can be encouraged to work together to supply bamboo abundantly, which can be harvested for the paper industry, viscose, newsprint, and other equivalents. Some species can be harvested for day-to-day use, including the making of furniture for the masses.
Mass production of bamboo products can create employment opportunities in self-help groups, especially in areas with skilled handicrafts people who can convert bamboo into valuable items for urban environments. Bamboo is an easier, faster, and more replaceable and reclaimable resource. Many volunteer organizations and individuals in India are passionate about bamboo and have made it their life mission.
The state and central governments must make bamboo conservation a priority, working alongside state or central agencies. The industry can participate through the CSR mechanism, and the Government of India should incentivize the cultivation of bamboo in various forms, including crushed bamboo for railway tracks.
Specially prepared sidings or what are called third-line loops should be developed around railway stations, with bamboo cultivation encouraged within a few kilometers by tribals and local farmers. This would create a perpetual and systemic harvesting process over time.
India would then benefit from an abundance of greenery and a higher density of carbon dioxide absorption than currently exists. This can be a mission-oriented approach with animal bureaucracy, enhancing education, communication, and handling.
The current trend among the younger generation is to serve the nation voluntarily for certain hours, weeks, or months, taking time off from their busy lives to contribute to organizational effectiveness. Therefore, tribals and bamboo should be part of our national agenda and pursued urgently.
