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Indian states seemed to have finally woken up to the reality of climate change with Maharashtra allocating a budget for the plantation of bamboo in 10,000 hectares of private land to mitigate the effects of climate change. On June 28, 2024, Maharashtra state finance minister Ajit Pawar announced the Atal Bamboo Samriddhi Yojana under which the participating farmers will be given 7 lakh rupees per hectare for a period of three years to plant bamboo.
Additionally, bamboo will be planted on wasteland, with the first project set to be implemented in Nandurbar on 1.2 lakh acres. Funding for private land will come primarily from the central government, which will cover 90% of the costs, while the state government will provide the remaining 10%. For tribal land, the scheme will be fully funded by the central government.
The announcement of this scheme followed a recent review of kharif crops, during which the newly formed Environment and Sustainability Task Force, presented a report on the impact of climate change on human life and biodiversity. Citing a report by the World Resource Institute-IPCC, the report highlighted that a 1.5°C increase would destroy 14% of the state’s biodiversity, lead to droughts affecting 15 crore people, increase forest fires by 40%, extend the number of hot days to 45 per year, trigger heatwaves three times a year, raise sea levels by half a metre, and cause floods affecting 24% of the population. The report further warned that a 2°C rise would exacerbate these issues, and a 3°C rise would be catastrophic.
To counter these effects, the Environment and Sustainability Task Force urged the government to undertake large-scale bamboo plantation, emphasising the need for 20% of the state’s geographical area to be under green cover.
Bamboo was due to its rapid growth and multiple uses. The Maharashtra government has also agreed to plant bamboo along major highways, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway, and the Mumbai-Goa highway. In Mumbai, a rupees 200-crore bamboo plantation program is also to be implemented by the BMC.
What makes bamboo ideal?
Bamboo plantations can play a significant role in climate change mitigation by sequestering carbon, preventing soil erosion, promoting biodiversity, and supporting sustainable economic development.
Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that can sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus reducing greenhouse gases. It can absorb up to 12 tons of CO2 per hectare per year, making it an efficient carbon sink.
Bamboo’s extensive root system helps prevent soil erosion and improve soil health, which is crucial for maintaining ecosystem stability and resilience against climate impacts. Its ability to grow on degraded and marginal lands makes it an excellent option for land restoration and combating desertification.
Bamboo’s versatility allows it to be used in various industries, such as construction, textiles, and bioenergy, providing sustainable alternatives to more carbon-intensive materials and processes. This can help reduce overall carbon footprints and promote greener economies.
Bamboo plantations can enhance biodiversity by providing habitat and food for wildlife. As a renewable resource, bamboo supports sustainable livelihoods for local communities, offering economic incentives for conservation efforts.
References:
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/4/1955
Banner Image: Photo by Ben Guerin on Unsplash
