Proceeding of National Seminar

Transcription

1 U D I N N I C T S R E SEARCH I N ST E I T R FO TE IN A O T A DE H R AD U N C O U N C IL O o F u F O L R i E r S ; TR % k ' k Y RE S r% fu E A C R H A D N U D E Bamboo Technical Support Group (Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education) Proceeding of National Seminar Bamboo Productivity in Forest and Non Forest Areas th st 30 to 31 January, 2014 Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest Dehradun

2 Bamboo Technical Support Group (Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education) Proceeding of National Seminar Bamboo Productivity in Forest and Non Forest Areas 30 th to 31 st January, 2014 Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest Dehradun

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4 Sanjay Kumar Dy Director General (NBM) Ministry of Agriculture Department of Agriculture and Cooperation Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi Telefax: / Message It gives me great pleasure to know that Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehra Dun is going to publish the proceedings of the National Seminar on Bamboo Productivity in Forest and Non- Forest Areas organized on 30 th to 31 st January 2014, through Bamboo Technical Support Group Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (BTSG ICFRE), Dehra Dun under the aegis of National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and part financial support from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Bamboos hold a vast potential for improving socio-economic development and conservation of our environment. Bamboo productivity in the forest and non-forest areas in the country has been a cause of concern and coming in the way for all-round development of bamboo sector in the country. I am sure the proceedings of the National Seminar on Bamboo Productivity in Forest and Non- Forest Areas will be immensely helpful in giving an impetus to the bamboo sector of India, guide the research programmes and provide the valuable information to the bamboo stakeholders across the board. I wish organizers of seminar and publication all success. (Sanjay Kumar)

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6 Foreword Bamboo plays an important role in the economy of the country and is used for a multitude of purposes in rural as well as urban society. It is called poor man s timber due to its widespread usage on account of its easy availability and affordability. Socially, this species is accepted as green gold and is a nature s gift to the humanity. Bamboo forests occupy large tracts in India and have also been planted extensively in many parts of the country. In our country, bamboo is being widely grown in forest as well as non-forest areas. Some quantification of bamboo in natural forests, plantation and outside forests is available enough in scattered form. However, there is a need to get some authentic data on production of bamboo in country. The seminar on Bamboo productivity in forest and non-forest areas is an effort to bring different departments and organizations on a common platform to share the knowledge on bamboo productivity and get some reliable information on this issue. Through this seminar, it has been possible to collate crucial information with respect to the production of bamboo. This information will be highly useful in planning for developing forward and backward linkages with respect to this valuable natural resource so that it can truly contribute to the livelihood of the dependent communities. In the end, I would like to extend my thanks to all those who were associated in successful organization of this event. Dr. Ashwani Kumar Director General, ICFRE Dehradun

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8 Preface It is my great pleasure to present the proceedings of the National Seminar on Bamboo productivity in forest and non-forest areas organized on 30 th -31 st January 2013 in Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun. The seminar has been instrumental in gathering of useful information on bamboo productivity in natural forests, forest plantations and in areas outside forests. A wide spread coverage on the issue of productivity of bamboo in all sectors made the seminar valuable and fruitful. Participation of all levels of stakeholders including tree growers and representatives of State Forest Departments contributed to the success of this seminar. It was possible to organize the event with the active financial and managerial support of BTSG-ICFRE group under National Bamboo Mission, New Delhi. Financial support from National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD) for printing and publication the proceeding is also highly appreciated and acknowledged. The effort put by the organizing team of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and FRI deserves praise and commendation. I thank Dr. G.S. Goraya, DDG (Research), Dr. Vimal Kothiyal, DDG (Research and Planning), Sh. S.S. Jain and Sh. A.D. Dhobal consultants BTSG-ICFRE for their significant contribution in the seminar. I also thank Mr. Sandeep Kujur, Mr. Umesh Kumar, Dr. Charan Singh and Mr. Rambir Singh and others staff of Extension Division, FRI for their hard work and dedication in the organization of this event and in compilation of proceedings. The proceedings have been organized under two themes; Theme-I covers bamboo productivity in forest areas while Theme-II covers bamboo productivity in non forest areas. Papers on both the themes were included in this seminar and recommendations based on presentations made by distinguished speakers therein. I hope that the proceedings will certainly add value to the information available on bamboo productivity in various domains and provide a roadmap for foresters and tree growers. I further acknowledge the valuable contribution of Dr. K.P. Singh, Public & Liaison Officer and his team who facilited the logistics. Finally, I would like to appreciate the efforts made by all those associated directly or indirectly with the seminar. Dr. P. P. Bhojvaid Director FRI, Dehradun

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10 Contents Foreword Preface Background Abstracts 1-8 Commercially important Bamboos of India Productivity issue 3 G.S. Goraya Status of Bamboo Productivity in Natural Bamboo Forests of Madhya Pradesh 4 Ritika Agarwal Bamboo Productivity in private land in Madhya Pradesh Diksha Lokhande Bamboo productivity in Managed Bamboo Plantation : High density planting & plantation having higher productivity N. Barathi Bamboo Status in Maharashtra A.K Saxena Bamboo Growth and Productivity outside Forest Area R. Kaushal, S. Tewari and O.P. Chaturvedi Bamboo Productivity in Forest and Non-Forest Areas Vimal Kumar Dhiman Bamboo Productivity in the state of Kerala Mehar Singh A case study on Productivity of Bambusa nutun in Sikkim Himalaya T. P. Sharma

11 Full Papers Bamboo Productivity in Degraded Gullied Lands of Major Ravine Systems of India - P K Mishra, R S Kurothe and B. Krishna Rao Management of bamboo stands using growth simulation models - R.C. Pandalai and E.M.Muralidharan Status paper on Production of Bamboos in Gujarat State - G.K. Sinha A review of bamboo based agroforestry models developed in different parts of India, productivity and marketing aspects -Rajesh S. Kumar, N.K. Binu, Nity Nishant, Suneesh Buxy and G.N. Sinha Status of Bamboo and its productivity in Arunachal Pradesh -R.K. Taj Dendrocalamus stocksii a valuable bamboo species grown on private lands in Konkan region of Maharashtra. - Sanjeev Karpe Bamboo Technology: India Status S. K. Nath and V.K Chawla Bamboo productivity in forest and non-forest areas - M.S.Haque List of Participants 102 The Authors 108 Organizing team 111 Glimpses of Seminar

12 Bamboo Productivity in Forest and Non-Forest Areas: Seminar Highlights, Synthesis and Recommendations Background Bamboo plays a vital role in the day-to-day life of millions of households across the country forming important source of food, fodder and shelter. It, in fact, forms an integral part of their culture and for them life without bamboo is just unthinkable. On the commercial front, bamboo has been long prized for its structural uses and as raw material for pulp and paper industry. With the technological innovations, bamboo has also emerged as an environment friendly renewable bioresource for composite wood products, as an alternative to timber. The growing bamboo industry has come to play a significant role in employment sector, creating cash earning opportunities for rural and urban poor. Bamboo has thus enormous potential to help the country in addressing various socio-economic and environmental issues. India is in a very advantageous position to develop and harness the bamboo potential in the country. It has the second richest bamboo genetic resource in the world with 136 indigenous and exotic species belonging to 22 genera that are spraed over nearly 14 million hectare of forest land. The total growing stock (green weight) has been estimated to be lakh metric tonne (State of Forest Report, 2013). An estimated lakh metric tonne of bamboo growing stock is available on areas outside designated forests (State of Forest Report, 2011). Whereas major bamboo species diversity, area (28% of the total bamboo area of the country), and growing stock (2/3 rd of the growing stock) is in the north-eastern states, all other states in the country also have natural occurrence of one or more bamboo species spread over extensive areas. The vast bamboo resource available in the country is, however, getting depleted due to biotic pressure driven habitat degradation and incessant exploitation pressures. In addition, many bamboo areas in the country have degraded due to poor regeneration of flowered areas on account of weed ingress and management failure. Already the annual bamboo production in the country is very low and is a cause of concern. As per records, the annual production of bamboo in the country varies from just 8.2 lakh metric tonnes (ICFRE s Forestry Statistics India, 2011) to lakh metric tonnes (State of Forest report, 2011). The average bamboo productivity, based on this data, therefore, works out to less than one metric tonne/ hectare/ per year. With the diverse and increasing use bamboo resources are being put to, the demand of bamboo is slated to grow further, putting the already stressed natural bamboo resources under more pressure, reducing further the productivity. There has been, therefore, an imminent felt need to strengthen bamboo resources in the country through plantations on forest and non-forest lands. It is in this context that the National Bamboo Mission, Government of India, has been, since 2006, assisting the the States in strengthening their bamboo resources through plantations on forest and non-forest lands and through rehabilitation of degraded bamboo areas. It is a natural corollary to these resource augmentation initiatives that productivity of the bamboo is worked out to plan its sustainable use. However, many gaps were observed in the available productivity figures with different sources citing different and widely divergent productivity figures. The national seminar on bamboo productivity in forest and nonforest areas was an attempt to understand the issue, bring out gaps in knowledge and work out feasible strategies to develop reliable and consistent database on the bamboo productivity.

13 The Seminar Highlights The 2-day national seminar on bamboo productivity in forest and non-forest areas was organized at and by the Forest Research Institute on January, The seminar was sponsored by the National Bamboo Mission, through the Bamboo Technical Support Group, Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education, Dehradun (BTSG-ICFRE) with part financial assistanace made available by the National Bank for Rural Development (NABARD). The participants in the seminar included forest officers from different State Forest Departments, scientists from various research organisations, progressive farmers and private bamboo growers, representatives of State Bamboo Missions, bamboo entrepreneurs, non-governmental organisations, and officials of the National Bamboo Mission, NABARD and ICFRE/ FRI. Shri R. K. Goel, Director, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, inaugurated the seminar. Setting the tone of the seminar, he in his inaugural address, emphasized the importance of bamboo in the national economy, and the crucial role it plays in the local livelihoods. He also highlighted the enormous employment potential bamboo has, especially for the rural India, and called upon the delegates to work out strategies to enhance average bamboo productivity from the present less than one metric tonne/ hectare/ year to more than 10 metric tonne/ hectare/ year. He also called upon them to initiate programs and make concerted efforts to develop high quality planting material for establishing large scale plantations of priority bamboo species to enhance production. Dr. RBS Rawat, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, Uttarakhand, in his address, re-iterated the call of the chief guest for enhancing productivity of bamboo in the country through plantation of selected high yielding bamboo germplasm. He drew attention of the delegates towards the degradation of existing bamboo stock due to congestion of clumps and growing incidence of weed in the bamboo areas, and desired initiation of programs to address this issue to enhance bamboo productivity. Sh. D. K. Jain, Additional Secretary, Horticulture, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Union Ministry of Agriculture, in his address, shared the National Bamboo Mission s concerns and perspective about low productivity of bamboo plantations with the delegates. He informed that the available bamboo productivity data was not adequate to accurately predict bamboo productivity from the plantations carried out with the National Bamboo Mission support. He expressed his hope that the seminar results in flagging this issue and in suggesting future course of action to enhance bamboo productivity in the country. The seminar theme was addressed in three technical sessions, the first two technical sessions dedicated to bamboo productivity in natural forests and bamboo productivity of plantations in forest and non-forest areas respectively. In addition to a keynote address, sixteen papers were presented by invited speakers from different parts of country viz. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand representing different stakeholder groups in these two technical sessions. These sessions saw sharing of experience and results of field studies in respect of bamboo productivity of different bamboo species under natural forest conditions and plantations. The third technical session was dedicated to highlight the need and procedure for collection and maintenance of national database pertaining to different bamboo species. Sh. Sanjay Kumar, Deputy Director General, National Bamboo Mission familiarised the delegates about the National Bamboo Mission s perspective and plan for gathering and maintaining such database. He emphasised that the

14 proposed database would enormously help in better planning the development of bamboo sector in the country. The technical sessions were followed with a plenary-cum-valedictory session whereunder the delegates combined their efforts and worked out a set of recommendations for enhancing bamboo productivity in the country. The seminar forum was also used to inform the participants about the setting up of a new Common Facility Centre (CFC) for training on bamboo processing and bamboo craft set up at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun with financial support from the National Bamboo Mission, through BTSG-ICFRE. Shri D. K. Jain, Additional Secretary, Horticulture, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Union Ministry of Agriculture inaugurated this Common Facility Centre (CFC). He also interacted with the master trainers and the villagers gathered at the CFC for training in bamboo processing and bamboo craft and had a glimpse of the range of bamboo items made by the trainees as part of training program displayed at the CFC. Synthesis Tehncial Session-I (Bamboo Productivity in Natural Forests): The session opened with key note address by Dr. G S Goraya, Deputy Director General (Research), ICFRE-cum-Project Leader, BTSG-ICFRE on commercially important bamboos of India - productivity issues, wherein he presented the status report on the bamboo productivity data in the country. Expressing concern at the very low bamboo productivity worked out for India s forests (< 1 metric tonne/ hectare/ year), he very succinctly brought out the gaps in general understanding of the issue and reasoned that the reported low producvity was as much on account of the inadequate focus on quality germplasm and management of bamboo forests as much as it was due to the prevailing data management and reporting practices. The available bamboo productivity data, he said, was based largely on the inferences drawn from the bamboo sale data maintained by the state forest departments. The removals by right holders, forming significant part of the annual bamboo production, were generally not included in these records. He suggested putting in place a system of data management based on actual removals of bamboo from forests, both by right holders for domestic consumption and by the forest departments for commercial purposes. Lack of reliable productivity data was, he said, adversely impacting the resource strengthening initiatives in the country. He further contended that the practice usually followed in Working Plans of calculating bamboo yield by area tended to include many areas with scanty incidence of bamboo clumps, pulling the average productivity figures/ hectare down. Citing examples of bamboo productivity ranging from 3 to 10 metric tonne/ hectare/ year for different species as reported by different authors, he suggested calculating bamboo yield by number of clumps instead of by area to have more reliable productivity data. He also proposed adoption of a uniform unit for recording bamboo harvest and sale data, as the present system of using different units viz., metric tonnes/ notional tonnes/ cubic metres/ numbers by different states made it difficult to collate data at national level. Research on screening and making available high yielding germplasm of key bamboo species, he highlighted, was the need of the hour to enhance bamboo productivity in the country.

15 The key note address was followed by a presentation on bamboo information from national forest inventory wherein Sh. Rajesh Kumar, Senior Deputy Director, Forest Survey of India (FSI) apprised the delegates about the methodology employed by FSI for preparing country wide bamboo inventory. He admitted that critical identification of different bamboo species in the field was a challenge and suggested preparing field handbook for easy identification of major bamboo species. The data quality could be further improved, he said, by increasing sampling intensity. Dr. RC Pandalai and Dr. EM Muralidharan from Kerala Forest Research Institute presented a growth simulation model to facilitate arrival at the optimum bamboo harvesting cycle. In the study they carried out in Kerala, a five-year bamboo harvesting cycle was found to be the best. They also highlighted the damage of bamboo clumps that are vulnerable on account of fire, elephants, cattle, etc. while calculating yield. The need to leave behind at least one fourth mature bamboo culms while harvesting to provide support to the new shoots over the next season was also brought out. They strongly recommended taking up such studies on a larger scale in different regions of the country to develop such models for different species. Ms. Ritika Agarwal, representing MP Bamboo Board, highlighted that 42% of the 5.55 lakh hectare bamboo forests in the State were degraded. Presented trend of such degradation, she informed that the degraded bamboo area had almost doubled over the past 15 years. Presenting an estimated gap of about 90% in the industrial demand and supply of bamboos, she highlighted the need for immediate rehabilitation of degraded bamboo areas in the State. She also drew attention towards policy hurdles, especially transit rules, in the way of encouraging bamboo in the state. Sh. G K Sinha, Addl. PCCF, Gujarat, in the status paper submitted by him, repoted a similar situation of degrading natural bamboo resources post gregarious flowering between 2004 and The bamboo production in the State, he has reported, had fallen from about 40 lakh bamboos in 1980 to only about 1 lakh bamboos in Ms. Diksha Lokhande, representing MP Bamboo Board, presented case studies on the status of bamboos on private lands in the State and informed that private bamboo clumps accounted for about 40% of the total commercial bamboo production in the State. Highlighting the need for good quality bamboo germplasm, she pointed to the need for initiating bamboo outreach extension programs to sensitise people about the economic potential of bamboos in the State. Sh. Vimal Kumar Dhiman, Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fibre Development Board, informed that Uttarakhand had 1.39 lac hectares of recorded bamboo area in the State with 4 temperate bamboo species of Arundinaria group and only one tropical bamboo species i.e. Dendrocalamus strictus naturally occurring in the State. He informed that productivity from forests was as low as 0.26 metric tonnes/ hectare/ year as worked out for Landsdowne Forest Division. He informed that new plantations carried out over about 12,500 hectares on forest land over the past 7-8 years under NBM and other schemes were showing very encouraging results. Dr. Mehar Singh, APCCF, Kerala Forest Department, presented results of random field studies related to bamboo productivity of natural bamboo forests at 3 sites in different forest ranges. The bamboo productivity varied from an estimated 1.85 metric tonnes/ year/ hectare to an estimated 8.03 metric tonnes/ year/ hectare depending upon the number of clumps per hectare that varied from an average of 32 clumps/ hectare to 122 clumps/ hectare in different study sites. The study clearly brings out that productivity of culms is a function of the number of clumps/ hectare.

16 Mr. Subodh Kulkarni, Global Cooling Foundation, presented a case study of successful management of natural bamboo resources by village communities of Mendha (Lekha) village under the Forest Rights Act. He informed that the bamboo production nearly doubled from an average of 450 culms per hectare to 850 culms per hectare from the community managed area with larger percentage of long poles. Moreover, the community was also able to sell the produce at much higher rates due to its negotiating power. He suggested that many more bamboo forests could be brought under better management with active participation of communities and their appropriate capacity building. Sh. A K Saxena, PCCF-cum-State Bamboo Mission Director, Maharashtra presented the status of bamboos in forest areas. With about 8000 sq km of bamboo forests in the State, the annual bamboo productivity from these forests was as low as 1 metric tonne/ hectare. More than 85% of the total bamboo production was being obtained from Gadachiroli district alone. The natural bamboo forests, he informed, comprised mainly of two species i.e. Dendrocalamus strictus and Bambusa bambos, and were generally degraded. Bamboo productivity from forest plantations of these two species was 3.17 metric tonne/ hectare/ year. He also informed that these forests were in the process of being handed over for management to the local communities under the Forest Rights Act, The productivity of Bambusa balcoa plantations on private land was as high as 50 metric tonnes/ hectare/ year. To promote plantations of such high yielding species, the State had excluded all nonnative bamboo species from the purview of forest Produce Transit Rules. He called for research studies into factors responsible (biotic, non-tending of crop, fires, illicit felling or any other or all of them) for low productivity of bamboos in forest areas. The plenary to Technical Session-I saw discussions on many other issues including a need to have handbook for easy identification and propagation of important species and to have greater focus on hill bamboos that play a very important ecological function in the hill forests and make significant contribution to the local socio-economy. Emphasis on the need to have greater focus on research and development for enhancing bamboo productivity was also re-iterated. Tehncial Session-II (Productivity of Bamboo Plantations in Forest and Non-Forest Areas): The session saw a number of presentations being made on the issue of bamboo productivity in plantations on forest and non-forest lands. Dr. P K Mishra, Director, Central Soil and Water Conservation Reseach and Training Institute, Dehradun shared very encouraging results of Institute s work on Bamboo productivity in major ravine systems of India with the delegates. He informed that bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) planted with specific objective of soils and moisture conservation to stabilize ravines established quickly, 500 clumps per hectare, started giving commercial yield (± 2500 culms/ hectare/ year) from 7 th year onwards. He, however, raised the issue of non-uniformity of clumps and made a strong plea for developing high yielding germplasm of priority species. Dr. M S Haque, Consultant (Retd. Head Forestry, NABARD) expressed that low management inputs, non-use of improved technology and near total reliance upon the bamboo seeds from unknown sources were the reasons for low productivity of bamboo in the country and suggested making all bamboo plantations commercially viable. Citing a case study from Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation wherein NABARD assisted the Corporation in raising high-input, rhizome-based, commercially viable bamboo plantations over 5300 hectares, he informed that

17 productivity of these plantations came to an estimated 20 metric tonnes/ year/ hectare from 5 th year onwards. He also drew attention towards good potential of extending bamboo over homesteads in Assam, and called for making the regulatory regime related to bamboo trade conducive for this purpose. Dr. T P Sharma presented a case study from plantations of Bambusa nutans in Sikkim, wherein the annual culm production exhibited a significant improvement when mulching and manuring was carried out. Mr. Sanjeev Karpe, Director, KONBAC, on the basis of field performance of about 10 year old plantations of Dendrocalamus stocksii (called Manga in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra) on non-forest lands, informed that the productivity of this bamboo doubled from 10 poles per clump/ year to 20 poles per clump/ year with addition of inputs like farmyard manure, fertilizers and irrigation. He further informed that this important bamboo species of Central Western Ghats was very useful for furniture and structural purposes and was easy to propagate through offset planting or through other vegetative modes. Highlighting the paucity of good quality germplasm, he called for making certified germplasm available as farmers were willing to pay high prices for such germplasm. Dr. N Barathi, Director Growmore Biotech, presented case studies from Tamil Nadu on high density bamboo energy plantations of Bambusa balcoa (Beema bans) where, with appropriate inputs, annual productivity could be enhanced upto 100 metric tonne/ hectare. It was, however, possible only when best bamboo species was selected, best clones were produced, and best agroeconomic practices were followed. He also contended that high density bamboo plantations (2500 plants/ hectare) had the potential of sequestering 23 metric tonnes of carbon/ acre/ year. In addition, such plantations had very good potential of creating local wage opportunities. Mr. Subodh Kulkarni, Global Cooling Foundation, also presented a successful case study of high density energy plantations of beema bamboo (Bambusa balcoa), carried out from 2011 onwards in Gadachiroli, Maharashtra, where per hectare productivity of about 100 metric tonne/ year was expected. Mr. Abhishek Khanna presented a documentary of a successful case study of Ranga Bamboo Plantations, one of the first private bamboo plantation initiatives in Madhya Pradesh. He informed that these plantations were started during 1992 and harvesting was started from 7 th year onwards. Citing a specific case study of planting of Bambusa nutans (locally called Mala bans) in 1100 clumps per hectare (3m x 3m) over 16 hectares, he informed that the clumps now had on an average culms of an average length of 9 metres. He also informed that these bamboo plantations had, in addition to enhancing his cash income, helped in rehabilitating the degraded landscape. Sh. R K Taj presented the status of bamboo planted in homesteads in Arunachal Pradesh and its productivity. Of the 22 bamboo species found commonly planted in the homesteads in the State, annual productivity was found to be the highest in case of Bambusa bambos ( tonnes/ ha), followed by Bambusa balcoa (375 tonnes/ ha), Bambusa nutans ( tonnes/ ha), and Bambusa tulda ( tonnes/ ha). The single culm weight was found to be much higher in Dendrocalamus latiflorous ( kg) and Dendrocalamus gigenteous ( kg) respectively, even as their productivity was rather low due to low planting density per hectare. He opined that the very high yield was due to intensive care and timely inputs by the homestead owners.

18 R Kaushal/ Dr. S Tewari, GBP University of Agriculture and Technology, presented results of multi-locational plantation trials on six bamboo species of commercial importance across 8 centres in the country, including of integrating agricultural crops with bamboo. The trials, they informed, have resulted in short-listing of 3-4 best bamboo species for taking up plantations in different agroecological regions in the country. The most suitable species were found to be Bambusa nutans, B. vulgaris, B. balcoa, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, D. asper, and Thyrosostachys oliveri. The high yield, he highlighted, was a function of timely implementation of management practices including cleaning, thinning, application of fertilizers, irrigation, mulching, mounding, etc. He also highlighted the need for good quality planting material and supporting R&D activities for enhancing bamboo productivity. Rajesh S. Kumar et al in their review paper on bamboo based agroforestry in the country have also brought out the clear advantage of integrating bamboo in agricultural practices as the model was resulting in a land equivalent ration (LER) of 1.2 vis-à-vis monoculture of cash crops. Nath and Chawla in their paper titled bamboo technology: India status submitted for the seminar, brought out versatility of bamboo for different structural uses and highlighted the need for continuous R&D support for bamboo based technology transfer. Recommendations The participants shared a general concern about low productivity and lack of robust productivity norms in respect of bamboo. The seminar resulted in throwing up many critical issues on the subject that need focused attention towards developing better understanding on these issues and towards initiating concrete actions on these. Issues like need to develop and produce quality planting material, extension of farmer friendly propagation technologies for producing sufficient planting stock, proper management of plantations, development and use of the proper silvicultural practices, age of harvesting, seasoning treatment, etc. to improve productivity for enhancing the economy of the stakeholders, were highlighted and need to comprehensively address these issues emphasised. The role of bamboo in carbon sequestration, land reclamation, soil and water conservation, etc. was also highlighted. Details of the important issues and recommendations are enumerated below: Need for Improving Bamboo Productivity Database Management Practices: The prevailing poor data management and reporting practices were highlightes as one of the reasons for reported low bamboo productivity in the country. The available bamboo productivity data in the country was based largely on the inferences drawn from the bamboo sale data maintained by the state forest departments. The removals by right holders, forming significant part of the annual bamboo production, were generally not included in these records. Lack of reliable comprehensive productivity data was adversely impacting the resource strengthening initiatives in the country. An immediate need for putting in place a comprehensive and reliable system of data management based on actual removals of bamboo from forests, both by right holders for domestic consumption and by the forest departments for commercial purposes was highlighted in the Seminar. The initiative by the National Bamboo Mission in developing a national bamboo database was appreciated by all and it was recommended that the National Bamboo Mission should make efforts to develop the proposed dynamic national bamboo database at the earliest and also chalk out a parallel program to build capacity of the designated state nodes in data updation and management.

19 Need for High Quality Germplasm: Non-uniformity of bamboo germplasm that was available for plantation programs was highlighted as one of the main issues coming in the way of enhancing bamoo productivity. It was pointed out that main source of bamboo propagation remained seed, with no mechanisms to certify the productivity credientials of its source. It was strongly recommended to initiate comprehensive programs for (a) screening and developing genetically superior germplasm in respect of commercially important bamboo species, (b) making available the superior germplasm on mass scale through macro and micro propagation methods, and (c) extend farmers friendly propagation technologies through training programs, on-field demonstrations and establishment of clonal nurseries at farmers field. The initiative by the National Bamboo Mission in developing nursery stock certification protocols was appreciated with the recommendation to finalise the same and make these operational at the earliest. Need for Rehabilitation of Bamboo Flowered Forests: The poor rehbiliatation of many bamboo areas in the country post-flowering came out as an important area of concern. Many of the flowered bamboo areas were reported to have come under weed infestation and the stocking of rehabilitated areas was reported to have drastically reduced, affecting the local artisans the most. The State Forest Departments and the National Bamboo Mission were called upon to initiate and implement focused programs to develop and rehabilitate the bamboo-flowered areas. Need for Encouraging Scientific Bamboo Farming: The bamboo as an agro-forestry crop was reported to have good potential for enhancing bamboo production in the country. Benefits of high density plantations to meet energy requirements were also highlighted. It was recommended to develop sound and replicable protocols and promote scientific farming of different bamboo species, including for high density plantations, across different agroecological zones in the country. These protocols would need to be based on right species selection, assurance of quality planting material, improved management practices including irrigation, fertilization, pest management, and harvesting regimes. Need for Modifying the Present Practice of Calculating Bamboo Yield: The existing practice of calculating bamboo yield by area, as was being presently followed in the Working Plans, ususlly tended to include many areas with very low frequency of bamboo clumps, pulling the average productivity figures/ hectare down. It was mainly due to this reason that the average bamboo productivity figures in the country were worked out to be less than one metric tonne/ hectare/ year, whereas bamboo productivity of more than 10 metric tonne/ hectare/ year for plantations was reported by many authors in the Seminar. It was recommended that a more reliable data in respect of bamboo productivity, especially for plantations, was required. Calculating bamboo yield by number of clumps instead of by area was suggested to be one of the options to have more realistic productivity data. Need for Uniformity in Units of Bamboo Trade: The different states in the country were following different measurement units to record bamboo harvest and trade data, viz. metric tonnes/ notional tonnes/ air-dried metric tonnes/ cubic metres/ numbers (score), etc. This practice was making it difficult to collate data at the national level and encourage bamboo trade across different states. A need for putting in place a uniform system (measurement unit) for recording bamboo harvest and sale data was highlighted with recommendation that the National

20 Bamboo Mission should initiate a comprehensive study on the issue and suggest improvements in the system. Need for Strengthening Programs for Capacity Building of Bamboo Craftspersons: Bamboo is generally viewed as a group of plants having vast potential for improving socio-economic condition in rural areas in the the country through its use in craft. There was, however, a need to create capacity of the people to develop high value bamboo articles. It was recommended that wide ranging national programs to build capapcity of the rural artisans in bamboo craft be initiated towards developing bamboo based cottage industry in the country and enhancing cash incomes of rural artisans. Need for Enabling Policies and Regulatory Regimes: The existing policies and regulatory regimes related to cultivation, transport and trade of bamboo from forests and from even homesteads as well as the ones related to import of bamboo and its products came out as major stumbling blocks in promoting bamboo cultivation in the country.the farmers rued that they were finding it difficult to transport bamboo harvested from their fields in view of the Forest Department s regulations. It was recommended that a thorough review of the existing policies and regulatory regimes at the state and at the national level be taken up and enabling policy and regulatory regime structure developed to promote bamboo in the country. Some of such policies and regulatory regimes are: - Comprehensive review of the regulatory regime related to harvest and trade of bamboos from forests and private lands with the state and across states. - Review of provisions under Land Ceiling Acts and Income Tax laws to allow for relaxation under these Acts to attract private investment for bamboo plantations. - Rationalisation of Import Duties to encourage growth of bamboo sector in the country. Bamboo for Rehabilitation of difficult Sites: Bamboo, with its intricate rhizome system, has come to be accepted as having good potential to stabilise and rehabilitate difficult sites, and promising results of afforestation of degraded lands and ravives were shared in the seminar. It was recommended to inititate large scale programs for restoration of degraded sites, soil and water conservation, stabilization of gullies, reducing run-off across the country. Promotion of Hill Bamboos: Hill bamboos, playing a very significant role in the rural socioeconomics and in hill ecology, came up in the seminar as a largely neglected group of bamboos. The National Bamboo Mission was called upon to initiate programs with focus on this group of bamboos and promote actions to strengthen their resource base through afforestation and agroforestry. It is hoped that the recommendations of the Seminar would be of use in developing appropriate policy and regulatory regimes, technologies and action plan for enhancing bamboo productivity in the country. Dr. G. S. Goraya Deputy Director General (Research) -cum-team Leader, BTSG-ICFRE

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23 Abstracts of Presentations Abstract Commercially important Bamboos of India Productivity issue Dr. G.S. Goraya Dy Director General (Research) ICFRE, Dehradun Nearly 14 million ha of forest land in India bears bamboo with a total estimated growing stock of 169 million metric tonnes. An additional growing stock of million metric tonnes is available outside forests. The annual production of bamboo from all the sources is, however, only about million metric tonnes, at a very low productivity of just about 1 metric tonne per hectare. In addition to the low quality growing stock, one of the other key reasons for this low reported productivity is the current data management and reporting practices that rely only on the bamboo sale data for the recording purposes. The removals by the right holders for personal use, forming significant part of the annual bamboo production, were generally not included in these records. There was thus a need to put in place a data management system based on actual removals of bamboo from forests, both by the right holders and by the forest departments for commercial purposes. Another reason for low reported productivity is the practice usually followed in the Working Plans of calculating bamboo yield by area. Under this practice, many areas with scanty incidence of bamboo clumps also get included pulling the annual average productivity figures per hectare down. Based on examples of bamboo productivity ranging from 3 to 10 metric tonne/ hectare/ year for different species as reported from across the country, a case has been built for adopting a system of calculating productivity by number of clumps as against the present practices of calculating the same by area to have more reliable data on bamboo productivity. Adoption of a uniform unit of measuring bamboo yield in the wake of difficulty in collating bamboo yield data at national level due to following of different measurement units viz. metric tonnes, notional tonnes, cubic metres, length, numbers, etc. by different states has also been proposed. Need for recording bamboo yield and bamboo use data species-wise has also been brought out. The need for comprehensive research to screen high yielding germplasm for various commercially important bamboo species, standardize their macro and micro multiplication techniques, and making available propagules for mass scale plantations is lso highlighted. 3

24 Abstract Status of Bamboo Productivity in Natural Bamboo Forests of Madhya Pradesh Ritika Agarwal Madhya Pradesh State Bamboo Mission Bamboo forest in Madhya Pradesh is spread over 28 forest division of 21 districts covering an area of square kilometers consitituting about 9.4% bamboo area of the country. Out of the 5.55 lakh hectares of the natul forest 2.30 lakh hectare constituting 42% is degraded. Over the last one and half decade the bamboo forest hasreduced and the degraded bamboo forest area has doubled. Bambusa valgaris, B. bambos, Dendrocalamus strictus, D. stocksii and B. polymorpha are regarded as fast growing species in the state. D.strictus is man species in natural forests consitiuting about 80% of the toal natutal bamboo. Private bamboo clumps are dominated by B. bamboos which is also 80% of the total bamboo clumps. These species have also been suggested for agroforestry sector. Balaghat bears the maximum bamboo area and Ujjain the minimum. Green bamboo clums in states (54%) are much below the national average (79%). Compared to it composition of decayed (36%) and dry clums (10%) in the state is much higher than the national average of 16% and 5% respectively. The production of bamboo in M.P. from natural forests is about NT (Notional tons; one notional tone is equivalent to 2400 running meter). The Study shows that in last 25 years there is a variation in bamboo production. The production of commercial bamboo increased from tons to tons while the production of industrial bamboo enhanced from tones to tons. The gap in demand and supply of industrial bamboo to industries and commercial bamboo supplied to farmers (under NISTAR) and artisans (Basods families) is 90% and 91.83% respectively. Synchronous flowering of bamboo has occurred in the state over vast tracts at regular time intervals. During & gregarious flowering in Seoni (80%) and Balaghat (25%) districts. Prior to this earlier recorded flowering in the state had occurred in and Restoration of degraded bamboo area has been taken in many districts. High rate of bamboo depletion is area of concern as 80% of bamboos is already depleted 55% dies due to gregarious flowering Lack of Scientific Management is another area of concern. Potential of production is nearly 200 million culms annually on private lands. Lack of appropriate policy intervention in transit rules and taxes needs to be addressed. The paper suggests that bamboo should be addressed silviculturally and not harvested commercially. Management stratigies should focus on managing bamboo clump rather than area. Intensive management of natural bamboo forests should be on degraded clumps with special management interventions for gregariously flowered areas. 4

25 Abstract Bamboo Productivity in private land in Madhya Pradesh Diksha Lokhande Madhya Pradesh State Bamboo Mission Although no authentic adata is available for the bamboo production from private lands, as per a rough estimate, about NT commercial bamboos are being harvested from farmlands, including. Three case studies of survey of bamboo clumps on private lands in selected Districts of MP are present. A case study on survey of bamboo clums on private land in Rewa, Satna, Sidhi, Umariya and Shahdol reveals that all the studied villages of market districts cultivating bamboo. B. arundinacea (average weight 40 kg) is found in all of the districts. Around 637 thousand tones of Bamboo are easily available from these districts. The study suggests that there is a need of scientific management technique for harvesting of bamboo. Two other case studies from Alirajpur District and Jabalpur are also discussed.dendrcalamus strictus is local variety that is available in Alirapur. Improvement in economic conditions in youth who migrate to Gujarat for work has lead to less demand for bamboo as construction material to build houses ; preference for pakka houses. Clear felling prevalent practise by the business men ; detrimental to fast regeneration. Market availability only in Chota Udaypur in Gujrat as no local market is available. Potential exists for local market for commercial and industrial bamboo. There exists opportunity marketing opportunities in other areas and establishing forward linkages. Training on scientific management practises will increase the income generation capacity of farmers from Bamboo. The third case study dealt with Narsingh Ranga Plantation dealing with Bambusa nutans. Bamboo productivity in Management Bamboo Plantation: High density planting and plantation having higher productivity Abstract N. Barathi Grow more Biotech Ltd. Hosur, Tamil Nadu The study is the outcome of the project on precision farming in Tamil Nadu through tissue culture raised plants. The study reveals that enhancement in production of bamboo is possible like vegetables being grown by precision farming adopting high density plantation. Bamboo cultivation models based on spacing are developed by following precision farming. Under the first bamboo model 200 bamboo culms/ acre were planted. The yield was found 40 ton/acre/year and there was an income of Rs /- (one lakh/acre/year). In the second 1000 culms/acre were planted. On harvesting after 1.5 year, the yield was found 40 ton/ acre/year. The gross income was Rs /- /Acre/year and the net income was Rs acre/year. At the time of planting, fertilization was done as 2 baskets of Farm Yard Manure to each plant and vermin-compost was also 1kg/plant and the amount of vermin-compost was doubled during second year. 5

26 Chemical fertilizers like Urea, DAP and MOP were also applied during first 175kg, 50kg and 200kg per acre respectively. During second year this amount enhanced as 350kg, 100kg and 400kg per acre respectively. In third year, the amount of Urea, DAP and MOP was enhanced as 700 kg, 200kg and 800 kg/acre. The species known as Beema Bamboo (Bambusa bamboos) is a suitable species under precision farming. This species may be propagated easily by tissue culture. Other suitable species are; Bambusa balcooa, B. tulda, B. vulgaris, B. polymorpha, D. asper, D. hamiltonii and Thyrostachys oliveri. Abstract Bamboo status in Maharashtra A.K Saxena, SMD& PCCF, Forest Department, Maharashtra, Pune Total Bamboo areas of Maharashtra is ha mainly concentrated in Nagpur, Amasavali, Chandrapur, Gudchiroli and Nashik forest divisions. Eighty five percent of bamboo production is taken from Gudchiroli District alone. The natural bamboo forests in the state are comprised mainly of Dendrocalamus strictus and Bambusa arundinacea and were generally degraded with productivity being less then 1MT/ha. Bamboo productivity from forest plantations of these two species was, however, 3.17 metric tonne/ hectare/ year. These plantations were, however, treated as part of the natural bamboo forests with no exclusive plantation working circle and felling series in respect of these bamboo plantations. The bamboo forests in the state were in the process of being handed over for management to the local communities under the Forest Rights Act, The productivity of Bambusa balcoa plantations on private land was as high as 50 metric tonnes/ hectare/ year. To promote plantations of such high yielding species, the State had excluded all nonnative bamboo species from the purview of forest Produce Transit Rules. He called for research studies into factors responsible (biotic, non-tending of crop, fires, illicit felling or any other or all of them) for low productivity of bamboos in forest areas. Abstract Bamboo Growth and Productivity outside Forest Area R. Kaushal 1, S. Tewari 2 and O.P. Chaturvedi 1 1. CSWCRTI, Dehradun 2. G.B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar A bamboo species based cropping system was conducted in the Tarari belt of Udem SinghNagar district of Uttaranchal in of Bambusa bambos, Bambusa tulda, Bambusa nutans, Bambusa balcooa, Dendrocalamus asper and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii in The area under bamboo cultivation was 40 ha including bambusetum and germplasm garden. The soil properties of experimental site 6

27 formed slightly acidic condition with low available nutrients. The plantation of bamboo species was done in 5m x 5m spacing in randomized block design with three replications. The maximum and minimum culm height growth in different bamboo species of 17.6m & 5.8m was found in 4 years of plantation. The maximum and minimum culm diameter growth in different bamboo species of 9.2 cm & 3.2cm was also found in the 4 years of plantation. In addition one species allocated for each participating centre to develop package and practices, nutrient management trial, water management trial, spacing, clump management, and bamboo based cropping systems were also studies. Abstract Bamboo Productivity in Forest and Non-Forest Areas Vimal Kumar Dhiman Uttarakhand Bamboo & Fiber Development Board Indira Nagar Forest Colony, Dehradun Emial: uabamboo@gmail.com, info@ubfdb.org Bamboo Productivity in forest and non-forest areas of Uttarakhand was studied. Natural bamboo species in Uttarakhand are Arundinaria falcata, Arundinaria falconerii, Arundinaria spathiflorus, Arundinaria jaunsarensis and Dendroclamus Strictus. Bamboo area as per records (overlapping) is 1.39 lakh hectares. Bambusa Bambos is available in Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar; Bambusa nutans in parts of Dehradun, Tehri, Chamoli and Pithoragarh; Bambusa balcooa in Udem Singh Nagar, and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii is found in private land of Dehradun and Bageshwar. Average density of clumps per ha was found in Lansdowne Forest Division. Average harvest is 4.25 culms/clump. Number of harvested culms/ha is 146. Production of 0.26 tonnes per hectare is obtained. Total bamboo harvestable stock in forests is tonnes. Abstract Bamboo Producitivity in the State of Kerala Mehar Singh Addl PCCF Kerala Productivity study of Bambusa bambos in natural forest in the state of Kerala was taken up in the month of January Three sites were selected. The first study was taken up in natutal bamboo forest of Kalady in Kunthirimudi Malayattoor Reserve. Last flowering recorded in the area was Eighty two clumps per hectare were available in this southern tropical moist deciduous forest. Nemmara in Thekkady forest constiting of dry deceiduous forest formed the part of the second study where the last flowering had occurred in Number of clumps per heactare was 122 at the site. At Thundathil in natural bamboo forest of Malayattor Reserved Forest last flowering was 7

28 recorded in In this moist deciduous forest 32 clumps per hectare were reorded. The clum length of the usable part of randomly selected ten clums at Kalady, Nemmara and Thundathil was varying between 21-27, and meters respectively. Average clump girth at the second internode at the three sites was 14.50, and meters respectively whereas the age of clumps were 32, 36 and 34 years respectively. Prodcutivity calculated at three sites based on three clums was 8.03, 4.08 and 1.85 metric tones per hectare per year respectively. A case study on Productivity of Bambusa nutans in Sikkim Himalaya T. P. Sharma Sikkim Survey of existing bamboo cultivation practices and documentation of post planting operations like manuring, fertilizer dosages, and irrigation and weeding schedules was carried out in the bamboo growing areas of Sikkim. Three sites in South Sikkim, four sites in east Sikkim and one each in west and north Sikkim were selected for the study. An study was also taken up to evaluate the productivity of Bambusa nutans. A clum diameter of 55 fts (18 metres) of 12 year old clump with 47 clums was recorded with the length of about 27.2 metres. Green and dry weight of the clum was and kg respectively. Fourteen clums per year were harvested fromm 333 clumps (5 x 6 mts specing) per hectare with total clums of 4662 per hecta 8

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31 Bamboo Productivity in Degraded Gullied Lands of Major Ravine Systems of India P K Mishra 1 R S Kurothe 2 and B. Krishna Rao 2 1.Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Dehradun , Uttarakhand 2.Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Research Centre, Vasad (Anand), Gujarat Abstract India is having 3.67 m ha of ravine lands which constitute 1.12% of total geographical area of the country. Rehabilitation of degraded ravine lands with various kinds of vegetation is immensely important to increasing the desired level (33%) of forest cover, to counter impacts of climate change and to conserve land & water resources for sustaining and improving the production and productivity of these degrade ravine lands. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants having extensive fibrous root system, connected rhizome system, dense foliage, the leaf litter produced on the soil surface, etc., are some the important valuable characteristic features of bamboo for controlling soil erosion in degraded ravine lands. A research and development project entitled Hydrologic and economic evaluation of bamboo plantations in gullied lands under major ravine systems (Mahi, Chambal, Yamuna) of India was implemented from , with financial assistance from National Bamboo Mission, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India. A part of this project, experiments was conducted to study the effect of bamboo based interventions for sustainable natural resource management in degraded gully lands. Based on the results of the experiments it is concluded that, higher survival and plant growth were recorded in bamboo plantation with earthen gully plugs and supportive staggered trenches. This is mainly due to absorption of rainfall thereby increase in moisture availability. Bamboo plantation based interventions absorbs more than 80% of rainfall. Lowest runoff, soil loss and nutrient loss occurred in bamboo plantation with small earthen check dams followed by bamboo in trenches. Bamboo based interventions reduced the nutrient losses that varies from 50-67%. The high stem flow amount and funnelling ratio of bamboo plants in comparison to deciduous and coniferous plants makes better rainfall absorption and hydrologically best suited plantation in degraded ravine lands. Annual return worked to be from the bamboo based interventions for gully beds are Rs. 88,780/-, Rs.70,000/- Rs.63910, in bori-bund reinforced with bamboo, trenching and bamboo live check dam treatments, respectively. Benefit cost ratio works out to be 2.09, 2.05 and 1.96 in bori-bund reinforced with bamboo, trenching and bamboo live check dam treatments, respectively. It is recommended that, these interventions can be implemented in degraded ravine lands. Key words: bamboo productivity, ravine lands, runoff, soil loss, economics Introduction Ravines are the network of gullies. India is having 3.67 m ha of ravine lands which constitute 1.12% of total geographical area of 328 m ha (NCA, 1976). Very extensive degradation of land has occurred along some of the major river systems of the country in various states in the form of deep gullies. The National Commission on Agriculture has repeatedly indicated that gullied lands not only create problems where they exist, but are also the root causes for degradation of adjacent arable lands affecting production potential in a major way. There are several major areas of severe 11

32 ravine erosion in India. Degraded ravines can be safely put under permanent vegetation for sustainable use. Bamboo has been identified as one of the promising species for protection and productive utilization of these lands. Rehabilitation of ravine lands with various kinds of vegetation is immensely important for increasing the desired level (33%) of forest cover as targeted in National Forest Policy, Government of India. The increase in vegetation in degraded ravine lands enhances the flora and fauna and thereby restoring natural ecosystem to counter impacts of climate change and to conserve land & water resources for sustain and improves the production and productivity of degraded ravine lands. India has one of the richest bamboo resources in the world and is second only to China in bamboo production. There are more than 100 vital species of bamboo in India, which grows naturally at heights ranging from sea level to over 3,500 meters in varied habitats (Tewari, 1992). Bamboo is known to be one of the fastest growing plants in the world, with a growth rate ranging from 30 to 100 cm per day in growing season. It can grow to a height of 36 m with diameter of 1-30 cm (United Nations 1972). A culm can reach its full height in matter of two to three months. Researchers have clearly established the importance of bamboo plantation as an effective means for conservation of natural resources. Certain studies (Simon & Collison, 2002) on runoff mechanism on riparian lands have revealed that the concentration of runoff in topographically defined linear features, like valley bottoms, is an important process when considering off-site damages from soil erosion. Various other research findings have reported positive utility of bamboo plantation for enhancing natural resource conservation (Lawler, 1993; YanHui et al., 1995). The utility of bamboo plantation as effective soil & water conservation measure has been successfully demonstrated in Mahi ravines (Sharma et al., 1980; Kurothe and Nambiar, 2001). They reported that Bamboo based vegetation was observed to be quite promising both in terms of controlling runoff and soil loss and economic returns. From 7 th year onward, a net income of Rs was obtained (Kurothe & Nambiar, 2001, Kurothe et al., 2012, Pande et al., 2012). Zhou et al., (2005) reported that soil erosion was low in bamboo plot ( kg/ha) as against other types of forest plantations. Bamboo plants having higher stem flow in comparison to other deciduous and coniferous forest tress, due to special canopy characteristics (Lu SY et al., 2007, Rao et al., 2012a). Deng and his team studied five different conversion models to compare the soil conservation efficiency (Deng et al., 2003). Out of the five models, bamboo grooves intercropped with fodder grass were more effective in controlling soil erosion. Extensive fibrous root system, connected rhizome system, its comparatively dense foliage, the leaf litter produced on the soil surface, etc. are some the important valuable characteristic features of bamboo for controlling soil erosion. The comparatively dense foliage protects against beating rains, and its habit of producing new culms from underground rhizomes allows harvesting without disturbing the soil (Ben-zhi et al., 2005). In India, different bamboo based agroforestry models such as, bamboo + ginger (Jha & Lalnumawia, 2004), bamboo + soyabean (Sheshadri, 1985) bamboo + turmeric, bamboo + Pigeon pea (Shanmughavel and Francis, 2001) were successfully established in managing the different type of degraded lands. Sole bamboo plantation have also been used to rehabilitate the land in different parts of the world (Christanity et al., 1996), for illustration, in India Dendrocalamus strictus shows positive land rehabilitating and restoring ability. National Bamboo Mission, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India has clearly emphasized on the conservation value of bamboo plantations. Keeping these considerations in view, a research and 12

33 development project entitled Hydrologic and economic evaluation of bamboo plantations in gullied lands under major ravine systems was carried at CSWCRTI, Research centers at Vasad (Lead centre) under Mahi ravines, Kota under Chambal ravines, Agra under Yamuna ravines during 2007 to 2012 with financial assistance from National Bamboo Mission, Government of India. The study was primarily focused on utilizing and judging overall performances of bamboo plantations for controlling soil erosion on the beds and banks of gullies and streams under real field conditions. Under this project research and development activities at three specific locations namely, Mahi ravines at Vasad (Gujarat), Chambal ravines at Kota (Rajasthan), and Yamuna ravines at Agra (UP) encompassing about 15 ha gullied land at each location was taken up. This project was implemented in two locations of the each ravine system. Choice of bamboo species for ravine lands Two important species of bamboo occurring in semiarid lands of India are Dendrocalamus strictus (Manvel or Solid bamboo) and Bambusa bambos (Katas or Thorny bamboo). Besides the above species, Dendrocalmus hamiltonii is present in small patches in semiarid regions of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. No other species of bamboo has been reported in the ravine lands. Most of the bamboos are hungry, thirsty plants. So unless they are raised in the perfect place with fertile, friable soil and plenty of timely and reliable rain they need to be provided both fertilizers and water regularly for best growth. As ravine lands are characteristically devoid of fertility and are mostly moisture deficient, only the hardier varieties can be grown in these conditions and it takes longer for these to be raised. The Dendrocalamus strictus is the most widely planted and most successful bamboo species for planting in the ravines. This is due to the fact that it is the hardest of all Indian bamboos, thus it thrives even in areas which are under successive period of severe drought. It is a frost hardy species. In the less harsh areas of ravine region where moisture deficiency is not too prominent, Bambusa bambos can be planted. Bamboos in ravines are clump-forming types, with peripheral extension from rhizomes. A growth habit of this type is well illustrated by the various species of Dendrocalamus. Dendrocalamus species, after germination, produce a grass-like seedling in the first year. The plumule, which appears as a conical bud covered by sheathing scaly leaves, develops rapidly into a thin wiry stem bearing single leaves, which alternate at the nodes and the leaf bases cover the stem. Fibrous roots form at the base of the young shoot and successive pointed buds appear on the rhizome. These buds form short rhizomes which curve upward to produce an aerial shoot. The process of rhizome and shoot production continues for several years, and with the previous year's shoots dying down, new rhizomes grow deeper and new shoots appear each succeeding year. The clump is formed by these short rhizomes, sometimes as congested, sometimes as open clumps, depending on the species. D. strictus requires 12 to 13 years under natural forest conditions, and six years in artificially established stands, to form a mature clump. In ravines, from seventh year onwards one third of the old mature culms per clump are harvested every year for natural regeneration. On account of extensive rhizome-root system and accumulation of leaf mulch, bamboo serves as an efficient agent in preventing soil erosion, conserving moisture reinforcement of embankments and drainage channels. 13

34 Bamboo growth and yield Two years old bamboo seedlings were planted in contour staggered trenches (60 cm X 60 cm X 1.8 m length) at 3 m X 3 m spacing in Mahi ravines during The seedlings were planted at the centre of the trench after filling the excavated soil up to 30 cm depth and equal volume of soil was refilled after planting, i.e., total refilling being one third of the excavated soil. Observation on growth parameters of 25 preserved clumps was taken, without harvesting them. While the growth parameter of bamboo improved with the age of plantation, the percentage of new to old culms declined with the age (Table 1). Table 1: Growth parameters of bamboo in Mahi ravines Growth parameters Age of bamboo (years) Clump circumferences (m) Culm height (m) Culm diameter (cm) Old culms/clump (nos) New culms/clump (nos) New culms to old culm (%) Source: Adopted from Dhruva Narayana, 1993 Effect of regular and irregular harvesting on production potential was examined by comparing bamboo clumps harvested at 3 year regular felling cycle and the clumps harvested after 11 th year of plantation (Table 2). It was revealed that up to 20 old culms/ clump, the regeneration rate of new culms was not different in the two cases. Beyond 20 old culms/ clump, the regeneration rate of new culms was higher in regularly harvested (3 year felling cycle) clumps as compared to the other. With 37 old culms, while the regularly harvested clump had 11 new culms, the irregularly harvested clump had only 6 new culms (Pradhan and Vasava 1973). A study was conducted in which bamboo (D. strictus) was planted in the year 1964 at 6 m x 6 m distance in the deep ravines located on the right bank of river Mahisagar at village Vasad in Kheda district of Gujarat. Planting was done on contours in staggered manner. Various felling cycle were tried for economic exploitation of bamboos. Harvesting of old culms representing 30% of the total number of culms every year gave the maximum production. The annual average yield per clump obtained varied from 6.21 to This harvesting intensity is, therefore, the management practice being adopted in the harvest of bamboo plantation. Table 2: Comparison of bamboo clumps harvested at regular and irregular intervals in Mahi ravines Clump class Total culms Regular harvesting Irregular harvesting New culms Old culms New culms Old culms I II

35 III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV Source: Adopted from Dhruva Narayana, 1993 Bamboo planted at 5m X 5m spacing (staggered) on ravine bed during 1989 was observed for growth performance and its effect on hydrology in the Mahi ravines (Kurothe and Nambiar, 2001). The growth of bamboo varied over the period due to rainfall effect (Figure 1). The total culms/ha remained same (2000 Nos/ha) up to 5 years. Thereafter, the numbers increased till 9 th year (8000/ha). Similarly, the number of new culms/ clump started increasing from 2 nd year and continued till 9 th year. Figure 1: Bamboo yield and income over the period of observation Bamboo growth with different interventions Bamboo is being tested, under National Bamboo Mission funded research project, for its performance with different soil and moisture conservation interventions(fig. 2& 3) (Rao et al., 2012b). Bamboo saplings planted during were measured for different growth parameters in the year The average height was observed to be maximum under earthen gully plug 15

36 treatment (353 cm), followed by staggered trenches (330 cm) (Table 3) in Mahi ravines. Similar trend was observed for clump diameter. Earthen gully plug treatment recorded the maximum clump diameter (154 cm). This is followed by trench (151 cm) and live check dam (111 cm), respectively. Table 3 Bamboo growth under various treatments-mahi ravines Treatment Av. Height (cm) Av. Clump diameter (cm) Number of culms/ clump Bamboo+Trench Bamboo as Live checkdam Bamboo+Earthen gully plug Av. Collar Diameter (cm) The mean survival and growth parameters of bamboo at Chambal ravines are presented in Table 4. The highest survival and growth parameters were recorded in Bamboo plantation with earthen gully plugs followed by Bamboo plantation with trenches. Table 4 Bamboo growth under various treatments-chambal ravines Treatment Av. Height (cm) Number of culms/ clump Bamboo+Trench Bamboo as Live checkdam Bamboo+Earthen gully plug Av. Collar Diameter (cm) The mean survival and growth parameters of bamboo was also recorded at Yamuna ravines (Table 5). It was observed that plantation of rows of bamboo in the upstream and downstream side of small earthen gully plugs had a significantly higher culm height ( cm), culm diameter (7.56 mm), crown size (72.86 cm) and maximum of 12 culms /clump compared to others. Table 5 Bamboo growth under various treatments-yamuna ravines Treatment Av. Height (cm) Av. culm diameter (cm) Av. Crown size (cm) Bamboo+Trench Bamboo as Live checkdam Bamboo+Earthen gully plug No. of culms/ clump The better growth in bamboo plantation with conservations measures were mainly due to absorption of rainfall thereby increase in moisture holding status. 16

37 Fig 2: Bamboo Plantation with live supportive staggered trenches Fig 3: Bamboo Plantation with live check dam & earthen check dam Silt deposition & Gully extension The highest silt deposition was recorded in gully treated by bamboo plantation with earthen gully plugs (Table 6). Start of the gullies recorded highest silt deposition. Bamboo based interventions for gully heads and bank stabilization (Fig 4) would give net returns of Rs 700 per 10 m length from 7 th year onwards. Gully head extension was observed up to 1.4 m in gully head without peripheral bund and it was not observed in gully head with peripheral bund supported by bamboo plantation. Gully bank extension was observed up to 0.4 m in gully bank without bamboo plantation and it was not observed in gully bank with bamboo plantation (Table 6). 17

38 Depth, cm Depth, cm Depth, cm Depth, cm Bamboo Productivity in Forest and Non Forest Areas Fig 4: Bamboo Plantation at gully head and gully banks Table 6: Silt deposition behind bamboo plantation Treatment Starting Middle End Average depth of silt deposition (cm) Bamboo plantation with supportive staggered trenches Bamboo plantation to act as live check dam Bamboo plantation with earthen gully plugs Control Moisture distribution The treatment wise moisture content at different depths during different intervals is presented in the Fig. 5. From the figure it is observed that bamboo plantation with earthen check dams made of sand bags and bamboo plantation with staggered trenches had higher moisture in comparison to control. MC (4 days after rainfall of 98 mm) MC (8 days after rainfall of 98 mm) Moisture content, % Moisture content, % T T1 T2 T T2 T3 T4 45 T MC (12 days after rainfall of 98 mm) MC (16 days after rainfall of 98 mm) 0 Moisture content, % T1 Moisture content, % T1 15 T2 15 T T3 T T3 T Figure 5: Moisture content after 98 mm rainfall received 18

39 Bamboo yield and returns Total number of culms per clump observed in Mahi ravines were 15, 12, 9 in bori-bund reinforced with bamboo, trenching and bamboo live check dam treatments respectively. Considering the recommended harvest cycle of 30% mature bamboo culms per clump, the harvestable bamboo culms per clump worked out to be 5, 4 and 3 in these treatments respectively. Based on this, the available bamboos harvested for sale were 3126, 2500 and 2312 in bori-bund reinforced with bamboo, trenching and bamboo live check dam treatments, respectively. The costs of bori-bund reinforced with bamboo, trenching and bamboo live check dam treatments was estimated as Rs 96,160/ha, Rs 37,500/ha and Rs 57,588/ha, respectively under Mahi ravine conditions. The net annual return from these treatments, thus varied from Rs. 63,910/- to 88,780/-. The economic indicators for bamboo plantation in different treatments revealed that for a production span of 20 years, the net present worth varies from Rs 222,588/ha in bamboo live check dam treatment to Rs 319,731/ha in bori bund reinforced with bamboo. Similarly, the benefit cost ratio worked out to be 2.09, 2.05 and 1.96 in bori-bund reinforced with bamboo, trenching and bamboo live check dam treatments, respectively. The internal rate of return revealed that bamboo performance in trenching gives best rate of return (20.2%) as compared to bori-bund reinforced with bamboo (19.7%) and bamboo live checkdam treatments (19.3%) among the three treatments. Throughfall and stemflow The low cost plastic stemflow collar with attached raingauge was successfully used to record the stemflow amount and intensity without involving much of the manpower and is found economical and simple than costly and sophisticated instruments. The throughfall varies from 43-72%, stemflow varies from 7-22% and interception losses vary from 12-50% of the rainfall. The funneling ratio varies from The high stemflow amount and funneling ratio of bamboo plants in comparison to deciduous and coniferous plants makes them hydrologically best suited plantation in degraded ravine lands(rao et al., 2012a). Runoff and soil loss The experiments were conducted under National Bamboo Mission funded project under Mahi ravines at Khorwad village and runoff from various bamboo based interventions was measured. The average annual rainfall of the Khorwad is 870 mm. The total rainfall of Khorwad is 980 mm 840 mm in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Total rainy days are 32, 34 in 2010, 2011 respectively. The treatment/watershed wise runoff & soil loss is presented in Figure 6. From the Figure it is observed that lowest runoff (79 mm,67 mm in 2010, 2011 respectively) and soil loss (5, 4 t/ha in 2010, 2011 respectively)) is recorded in W3 watershed i.e., treatment T3 (Bamboo plantation with earthen check dams made of sand bags) followed by W1 watershed (runoff 127, 104 mm, & soil loss 10, 7 t/ha in 2010, 2011 respectively) i.e. treatment T1 (Bamboo plantation with staggered trenches) in comparison to control watershed W4 (runoff 284, 183 mm, & soil loss 16,12 t/ha in 2010, 2011 respectively). Bamboo based interventions absorb more than 80% of rainfall, reduce the soil and nutrient losses up to 70% (Rao et al., 2012b). 19

40 W1 : bamboo plantation with trenches, W2 : bamboo as live check dams W3 : bamboo plantation with small earthen check dams, W4: Control Soil organic carbon enhancement Figure 6 Runoff & soil loss behaviour of the treatments Soil organic carbon was estimated from soil samples taken from bamboo plantation sites after 20 years of plantation. Similar samples were taken from the fallow ravine lands. The analysis revealed a soil carbon build-up of 41 t/ha over a fallow ravine lands. This carbon build-up sustains in the soil if plantation is maintained for a longer period, following the recommended harvest cycle of harvesting 30 per cent mature culms per clump. Imputing a value to this at a shadow carbon price of US $20/t C (Atkinson et al., 2006) (Rs 50=US $1), worked out to be Rs 41,000/ha, ranging between Rs 10,250/ha and Rs 82,000/ha at carbon price range of US $5/t C and US $40/t C, respectively. Nutrient loss Soil conservation value was estimated in terms of nutrients saved from loss to river in the downstream. The nitrogen, phosphorus and potash content of soil in a degraded ravine lands of this region ranges between kg/ha, kg/ha and kg/ha, respectively. This works as a lower and upper bound for the nutrients in the soil conserved as a result of bamboo plantation. In ravine lands, farm yard manure is applied by the farmers in small quantity prior to plantation, but the quantity is too small to replace the nutrients lost through soil erosion. Hence, only chemical fertilizers are used for replacement of nutrients lost. Further, nitrogen is closely related with carbon in the soil under plantation. Since, evaluation of soil carbon is done separately; the benefit of this nutrient was not summed up in the nutrient saved. The value of nutrients, thus, saved through bamboo plantation has been estimated to be Rs /ha. Limitations and policy interventions Despite the bamboo potential in ravines in terms of its conservation value and economic returns, availability of large area of degraded lands, availability of technology (which has been generated from NBM research & development projects) & fund (from National Bamboo Mission and State Bamboo Missions), as also Government thrust, the bamboo has not gained the desired momentum in reclaiming degraded lands. The main limiting factors and required interventions in the promotion of the bamboo in ravines are presented here: 20

41 Lack of awareness Bamboo has been traditionally raised; to a limited extend, in village commons and homestead gardens. However, it still remains a forest species in respect of industrial use and commercial plantations. There is a need for changing the forestry mindset' to the 'farming mind set' and creating awareness on the commercial viability and profitability of the species. In this regard, extensive awareness and capacity building programmes are required at all level viz. farmers, extension workers, village level societies, tree growers cooperative societies etc. The Research & Development (R&D) under the sector needs to be complimented with awareness creation, demonstration and extension support for a multiplier effect. The self help groups (SHGs), Village Forest Committees (VFCs), Tree Grower s Cooperative Societies (TGCS), Farmers clubs, etc. could be used as vehicle for such extension programmes. Policy for leasing revenue degraded ravine lands for forest plantations A large portion of degraded ravine lands, which could be profitably used for raising bamboo, are under the control of the Revenue Department/ Forest Department. Such lands are neither properly utilized nor leased away to the interested entrepreneurs for development. It is therefore desirable that the State Govts. evolve suitable policies for leasing of the revenue wastelands to the farmers / SHGs / entrepreneurs / industries for raising forest plantations for industrial use. Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and, Chattisgarh have come up with such policy for greening the waste lands. Other States may also follow to encourage the public private partnership for greening the degraded ravine lands. Need for Organized Supply Chain Management Though a vast market exists for the bamboo sector, there is a need for an organized market with assured minimum price regime to encourage the small farmers to take up bamboo plantations on their private wastelands. There is a need to promote bamboo based industries in states having major ravine areas. Need for incentives for raising bamboo plantations Cultivation of bamboo in degraded ravine lands and the agricultural land nearer to these is a new activity and may be given fillip through extending capital/ interest subsidy to the farmers/ entrepreneurs for raising bamboo plantations. Conclusion The studies conducted under National Bamboo Mission sponsored Research & Development project on bamboo based interventions in ravine reclamation proved to be quite promising both in terms of controlling runoff and soil loss, carbon sequestration and economic returns. These techniques are very much useful for reclamation in ravine lands of various states. In spite of bamboo potential in degraded ravine lands in terms of controlling runoff and soil loss and economic returns, it has not been tapped to its fullest, hence wider and alternative utilities of bamboo is being rediscovered in India with increased attributes and potential towards ecological and soil conservation utilities in degraded ravine lands. Field visits, farmers days, training programmes and workshops can be organized for sensitization and upscaling of these techniques among various stake holders like 21

42 policy makers, State and Central government Departments, funding agencies, NGOS, Tree growers cooperative Societies and farmers. However, there is a need to integrate the various stakeholders at various levels (production to consumption) for evolving workable strategies to promote these bamboo based interventions, which would not only be instrumental in addressing environmental concerns but also economic and livelihood security of habitants of these vulnerable lands. References Ben-zhi Z; Fu Mao-yi, Xie Jin-zhong, Yang Xiao-sheng, Li Zheng-cai (2005). Ecological Functions of Bamboo Forest : Research and Application, Journal of Forestry Research, 16(2): Christinaty L, mailly D, Kimmins JP, (1996). Without bamboo, the land dies : biomass, litterfal and soil organic dynamics of a javaneese bamboo talun kebun system. Forest Ecology and management. 87: Deng Y, Yan Peng, Yukuan Wang; Zongling Yang (2003). Soil Conservation Efficiency of Different Models Converting from Steep farming SlopePlots in ya an, Schian, China. International Journal of Sediment Research, 18 (4): Dhruva Narayana, V. V. (1993) Soil and Water Conservation Research in India. Publications and Information Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan, Pusa, New Delhi. 449p. Jha LK Lalnunmawia F (2004). Agroforestry with bamboo and ginger to rehabilitate degraded areas in north east India. Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, 2(2): Kurothe RS; Nambiar KTN (2001). Eco-system restoration and sustainable production in degraded Mahi ravines and its effect on hydrology and sedimentation. In: proc. National Conference on Resource Conservation and Watershed Management (RCWM-2001), May 23-25, 2001, Dehradun. Kurothe, RS, Gaur, ML, Rao, BK, Parandiyal, AK, Singh, AK, (2012). Conservation and Production Potentials of Bamboo in Ravine Lands, CSWCRTI, ISBN :160p. Lu SY; Liu CP; Hwang LS; Wang C. H. (2007). Hydrological characteristics of a makino bamboo woodland in Central Taiwan. Taiwan Journal for Science 22(1): Lawler DM (1993). The measurement of river bank erosion & lateral channel change: A review. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 18: National Commission on Agriculture (1976). Report of National Commission on Agriculture, Part 5: Resource Development, Govt of India. New Delhi, pp Pande VC, Kurothe, RS, Rao, BK, Kumar, Gopal, Parandiyal, AK, Singh, A K and Kumar, Ashok (2012) Economic Analysis of Bamboo Plantation in Three Major Ravine Systems of India. Agricultural Economics Research Review, 25(1):

43 Pradhan, I.P. and Vasava, S.S. (1973). Preliminary study on rainfall interception through leaf litter, Indian Forester, 99(7): Rao, BK, Kurothe, RS, Pande, VC, Kumar, Gopal (2012a) Throughfall and stemflow measurement in bamboo (Dendrocalmus strictus) plantation, Indian Journal of Soil Conservation, 40 (1): Rao BK, Kurothe RS, Singh AK, Parandiyal AK, Pande VC, Kumar, Gopal (2012b) Bamboo Plantation Based Technological Interventions for Reclamation and Productive Utilization of Ravine Lands, CSWCRTI, Technical Bulletin No. T-62/V-4: 30p. Seshadri P Intercropping of Bamboo (D. strictus) with soybean- An agroforestry study. Ph.D Thesis, Tamil Nadu agricultural University, Coimbatore. 480 p. Shanmughavel P Francis K, Intercropping trials of four crops in plantations, Journal of Bamboo and Rattan. 1(1): 3-9. Sharma A K; Pradhan I P; Nema J P; Tejwani K G years research on soil & water conservation in ravine lands of Gujarat. CS&WCR&TI, Research Centre, Vasad Simon A; Collison AJC Quantifying the mechanical & hydrologic effects of riparian vegetation on stream-bank stability. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 27: Tewari DN A Monograph on Bamboo. International Book Distributors, Dehra Dun, 498 pp. United Nations 1972., The Use of Bamboo and Reeds in Building Construction. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Document No. ST/SOA/113, pp. 95. United Nations, New York, USA. Yanhui W; Yongmin L 1995 Hydrological characteristics of a moso-bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forest in South China, Hydrological Processes (Hydrol. process.) vol. 9, no7, pp Zhou Ben-zhi; Fu Mao-yi; Xie Jin-zhong; Yang Xiao-sheng; Li Zheng-cai Ecological functions of bamboo forest: Research and Application, Journal of Forestry Research, Volume 16, Number 2 / June, 2005, pp

44 Abstract Management of bamboo stands using growth simulation models R.C. Pandalai and E.M.Muralidharan Kerala Forest Research Institute, (An Institution of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment) Peechi , Kerala, India Bamboo (Bamusa bambos) is emerging as an important multiple-use plant both in forests and agricultural lands. However, no clear-cut guidelines have been developed on optimal harvest levels based on quantitative methods. An attempt made in this direction is reported here based on a state level study initiated in the forests of Kerala. Twenty two sample plots of size ranging from 30 m x 30 m to 50 m x 50 m were laid in different bamboo growing regions in Kerala. Observations on number of clumps, number of culms on selected clumps and culm height were made in each plot over three years. The status of miscellaneous species was also recorded. The stand level values for the different attributes were worked out using allometric relations established for different characters with clump diameter. The number of clumps ranged from 72 to 444/ha in the year of establishment of sample plots. The range for number of mature culms was to the order of 1065 to 4197 culms/ha. Height of the tallest culm varied from 10.5 to 22.6 m. Maximum sustainable harvest was worked out using linear programming algorithm implemented on a transition matrix model that depicted the changes in culm numbers of different size classes over time. With the level of natural destruction found occurring on the shoots produced every year, sustainable harvest levels varied from 102 mature culms/ha annually to 832 mature culms/ha every ten years. Two cutting cycles of intervals three and five years, were evaluated through linear programming which maximized the land expectation value. With an annual discount rate of 9 per cent and average price of Rs 60 for a mature culm, five year cutting cycle was found better than three year cutting cycle especially when the management is poor. The superiority of five year cutting cycle was found retained for values of fixed cost ranging from nil to as high as Rs 10,000/ha. The optimal cutting intensity thus worked out to 50 per cent of the total number of culms in the stand every five years. Every five years, around 464 mature culms can be harvested leaving 102 mature and 357 immature culms in the stand. At the current rates, the harvest value works out to Rs 27,832/ha every five years less costs of harvesting. This happens in the presence of natural destruction of the shoots amounting to 50 per cent every year. If we are able to reduce the extent of this damage, the harvests could be increased correspondingly. Introduction Bamboo plays an important role in the forestry and allied sectors of Kerala by way of its use as pulpwood, use in construction, for furniture and for various agricultural purposes. Besides traditional use of construction, furniture, handicrafts and food, bamboo is increasingly being recognized as an environment friendly and cost-effective wood substitute for producing pulp, paper, 24

45 boards, panels, flooring, roofing, composites and charcoal. Bamboo contributes substantially to the ecological, economic and social development. Ecologically, bamboo plays a critical role in soil and water conservation, maintaining the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, lowers light intensity and offers protection against ultraviolet rays. Its inherent ability to grow on marginal and wastelands makes it one of the preferred crops for greening the wastelands and degraded sites, conservation of soil and moisture and sequestration of carbon. Currently, the Kerala Forest Department has an extent of around 5,000 ha under bamboo plantations. The Kerala Forest Development Corporation has also started planting bamboo and the species exhibits fast growth. Realizing the high potential of bamboo as a plantation species, it is getting included in more and more developmental schemes. Naturally, there is a need to develop scientific methods of cultivation for the species. One area where scientific information is lacking for this species is stand density management in relation to site conditions and hence the problem was taken up with the following objectives. The commonly occurring species Bambusa bambos has been considered for the study. To develop a growth simulation model for bamboo stands. To optimize the harvesting schedules based on economic evaluation of alternative management regimes in relation to site conditions. Bamboos are perennial grasses of gregarious habit, for which the woody stems (the culms) arise from a woody root stock called rhizomes. Full size culms are usually produced after a span of 5 to 12 years depending on the species and growing conditions. The new culms arise from the rhizomes during the rainy season, appearing above ground in the form of tender pointed cones covered with sheaths at the nodes. The culms elongate rapidly, reaching full height, in a span of three to four months. Usually the branches develop after the upward growth of the culm is completed. The number of new culms produced varies greatly depending on the species, size and vigor of the clump. The rudimentary buds formed on the rhizome especially at the nodal regions soon after the rains enlarge slowly taking a few months while embedded in the soil and emerge out as tender shoots in the shape of pointed cones simultaneous with the pre-monsoon showers of the next year. The rains during June-July influence the sprouting of the tender new shoots and it takes about three to four months to achieve full growth. As the culms become older, the coloration of the culms usually gets darker. Bamboo is considered to be the fastest growing woody plant in the world as their growth rate is on an average up to 50 centimeters/day which is due to the unique growth mainly dependent on the rhizome and the fibrous root system. However, the growth is also highly dependent on local soil and climatic conditions. Materials and methods Data collection A set of 22 semi-permanent sample plots were laid out in bamboo plantations and natural bamboo stands of Bambusa bambos during December 2008-May 2009, representing various age groups, stocking levels and site conditions in different parts of the State of Kerala. The plot size varied from 25

46 30 m X 30 m to 50 m X 50 m depending upon the age/stocking status of the plots. These plots were remeasured during December 2009-May 2010 and December 2010-May During each measurement period, observations on clump diameter on all the clumps, height of tallest culm on selected clumps, i.e., smallest, medium, and largest of the clumps and number of culms of different size classes in the selected clumps were recorded from the sample plots. Figure 1. View of the sample plot laid out at Thiruvizhamkunnu The status of clumps not selected for detailed observations on any feature was derived through regression analysis. The following equations fitted to the data for the three years, were used for the purpose. ln N ln D (1) (R 2 =0.267) ln N ln D (2) (R 2 =0.739) ln N ln D (3) (R 2 =0.328) ln H ln D (4) (R 2 =0.483) where N 1 is the number of immature culms in the clump 26

47 N 2 is the number of mature culms in the clump N 3 is the number of cut, dry or damaged culms in the clump H is the height of the tallest culm in the clump (m) D is the diameter of the clump (m) Graphs of equations (1) to (4) are depicted in Figures (1) to (4) along with corresponding observations. Figure 2. Graph of number of immature culms against diameter of clumps Figure 2. Graph of number of mature culms against diameter of clumps 27

48 Figure 3. Graph of number of cut or dry culms against diameter of clumps Figure 4. Graph of height of tallest culm against diameter of clumps For miscellaneous tree species growing in the plots, girth at breast-height and the species identity were also recorded. Geographical position in terms of latitude, longitude, and altitude were recorded along with other site features including the slope of the sample plots. 28

49 Statistical analysis Growth modelling and simulation The following model structure was adopted for the purpose of growth simulation (Buongiorno and Gilless, 2003) after suitable modifications. y 1 t Gy t c (5) The column vector y t designates the state of the bamboo stand at time t and G and c are matrices of constant parameters as shown below. y t y y 1t 2t, a G a 1 2 b1 b 2, Rt c 0 (6) where y 1t is the number of immature culms/ha at time t y 2t is the number of mature culms/ha at time t a 1 is the fraction of live immature culms at time t that are still remaining at time t+1 a 2 is the fraction of live mature culms at time t that are still remaining at time t+1 b 1 is the fraction of live immature culms at time t that becomes mature at time t+1 b 2 is the fraction of live mature culms at time t that grows out from the class at time t+1 R t is the ingrowth or the number of new shoots in immature class/ha during t and t+1 The proportions estimated from the hectare level predictions of culms using equations (1) to (4) are given in Table 9. Table 9. Proportion of bamboo culms staying, growing up and dying in each size class Size class Immature culms Proportion of culms staying in a class (a i ) Proportion of culms growing up (b i ) Mature culms Proportion of culms dying (1-a i -b i ) Obviously, a substantial portion (50 percent) of the new culms produced get damaged or cut illegally. The cutting could not have been a part of regular harvesting because specific instructions were given to the agencies concerned not to disturb the plots during our observation period. Attempts to develop a prediction equation for annual production of new culms (R t ) based on the existing number of culms in the stand as required by model (5) did not lead to a satisfactory 29

50 equation and hence was assumed to be constant. The mean ingrowth of culms/ha (R t ) worked out to 266. Substituting R t in equation (5), the growth equations obtained were as follows. y1 t y1t (7) y 2t y1 t y 2t (8) When there is no harvest and the stand is left undisturbed but for the interference from natural forces like damage by elephants, drying up of shoots or illegal removal, the stand will converge to a steady state over time. The steady state is independent of the initial conditions and depends only on the growth parameters. This undisturbed steady state is found by solving the system of linear equations in (5) This system has a unique solution, which can be found by linear programming, with the above equations and y t 0 as constraints and with an arbitrary objective function, such as minimizing y 1t where y 1t is the number of culms in the youngest class. At stable condition, as obtained through the Excel Solver, the stand composition worked out to be of 2247 mature culms and 357 immature culms, the latter constituting around 14 % of the total number of culms. The total number of culms/ha (2604) at steady state reflects also the carrying capacity of the stands subject to the natural forces like damage or illicit removal or drying up of shoots. The corresponding stand development is shown in the following graph. Although it takes around 120 years for the complete stabilization, proximate values comparable to the terminal stage are achieved within less than 10 years. The projection ignores the intervention due to natural flowering and subsequent perishing of the plants till regeneration occurs. Figure 6. Stand development of bamboo under undisturbed conditions 30

51 It was found that nearly 50 percent of the shoots produced get removed from the stand due to natural forces operating like fire, damage due to elephants, illicit removal or drying up. It would be of interest to know what if the extent of this damage is reduced. Consequence of such a state of affairs was studied by altering the transition probabilities as follows restricting the annual loss of shoots to around 25 per cent as shown below: Size class Proportion of culms staying in a class (a i ) Proportion of culms growing up (b i ) Proportion of culms dying (1-a i -b i ) Immature culms Mature culms The results of simulation are shown in Figure 6. At stable condition, the stand composition worked out to 4220 mature culms and 357 immature culms, the latter constituting around 8 per cent of the total number of culms. Although it takes around 170 years for the complete stabilization, proximate values comparable to the terminal stage are achieved in less than 60 years. Even after reducing the loss due to natural factors to 25 per cent, the number of immature culms in the steady state did not get altered and remained at 357 culms/ha (Figure 7). The reason could partly be due to the constant production of new shoots (266 culms/ha), assumed due to the poor R 2 for the corresponding prediction equation. Coupled with the fraction of culms remaining stationary in the same class, the terminal value got fixed at 357 culms/ha. Figure 7. Stand development of bamboo under undisturbed conditions with annual loss of shoots restricted to 25 per cent Maximizing periodic production Recursive equation allows prediction of the stand state at any point in the future, starting from a particular initial state y 0 and subject to a specific sequence of harvests: h 0, h 1,, h t : 31

52 h c y1 G y0 0 (9) y y 2 t h c G y1 1 G y h c t 1 t 1 The sustainable regime that maximizes production per unit of time is found by solving a linear program with the following objective function and constraints: Objective function is the constant periodic production: max Z ht, yt Q h t (10) where h t is number of culms to be harvested from the mature category. The harvest from immature class was set to zero. y G y h c Growth equation: t 1 t t Steady-state constraints: y t 1 y t Cut less than stock, and nonnegative: ht y t, h t 0 The results of optimization are depicted in Table 10 which gives the maximum possible harvest under steady state for annual or longer intervals between harvests. Table 10. Maximum sustainable harvest levels with various cutting cycles Interval between harvests (year) Number of immature culms in the stand (culms/ha) 32 Number of harvestable culms (culms/ha) The maximum sustainable harvest varied from 102 mature culms/ha annually to 832 culms/ha with a 10 year cutting cycle. Nevertheless the number of immature culms remained stationery at equilibrium point regardless of the interval between harvests. This could be because the 357 culms/ha is the target value under steady state conditions under undisturbed conditions and the

53 stand attains this target value at equilibrium state for any value of the cutting cycle. It may be noted that these figures correspond to the equilibrium stage on an average and there could be considerable stand to stand and year to year variation during the developmental stages. Economic optimization of harvests Through economic optimization, optimal cutting cycle and intensity can be determined. To study the effect of different cutting cycles, it is convenient to write the growth equation (10) in the following form. h c yt 1 G yt t (11) where y t is the state of the stand at time t, h t is the harvest at time t, and G and c are the constant parameters. Assume a two year cutting cycle instead of annual harvest. This means that there is a harvest at time t, but no harvest at time t+1. Therefore, the state of the stand at time t+2 is: yt 2 Gy t 1 c (12) The steady state constraints require that the stand state be the same at the beginning and at the end of the cutting cycle; i.e.: yt 2 y t (13) In addition, the harvest must be less than the stock: ht y t (14) and the harvest cannot be negative: h 0 t (15) The object is to find the harvest h t and the growing stock y t that satisfy constraints specified while maximizing the land expectation value (LEV), with LEV P V h s V h V 1 r h D Vs 1 (16) Vh wh t and Vs wy t where w is the vector of unit commercial values for culms of each size class. r is the interest rate 33

54 D is the length of cutting cycle However, the expression of the land expectation value changes with the fixed costs (F) if any associated with the harvest operations. The LEV then takes the form, LEV F This simplifies to: h V F Vh F V s F D 1 r 1 (17) LEV F V h V h F V LEV D s D 1 r 1 1 r 1 Thus, the land expectation value with a fixed cost is equal to the land expectation value without a fixed cost, minus a constant that depends only on the fixed cost, the interest rate, and the cutting cycle. As a result, for a given cutting cycle, the harvest that maximizes land expectation value is the same with and without fixed cost. However, the land expectation value will be different for different cutting cycles. The results of optimization through linear programming are given in Table 11 for two cutting cycles, viz., three and five years. An interest rate of 9 per cent was assumed for the financial calculations. The price of a mature culm was assumed to be Rs 60 on an average for computing the values of stock as well as harvests any time. The results show that a five year cutting cycle is better than three year cutting cycle. The superiority of five year cutting cycle was found retained for values of fixed cost ranging from nil to as high as Rs 10,000/ha. Table 11. Optimal harvest regime for different cutting cycles F (18) Attribute Cutting cycle 3 Year 5 Year No. of immature culms in the stand/ha No. of mature culms in the stand/ha No. of harvestable culms/ha Percentage of harvest (%) Harvest value (Rs/ha) 17,465 27,832 Forest value (Rs/ha) 76,662 79,504 Stock value (Rs/ha) 6,093 6,093 Land Expectation value (Rs/ha) 70,569 73,411 The optimal cutting intensity thus works out to 50 per cent of the total number of culms in the stand every five years. Every five years, around 464 mature culms can be harvested leaving 102 mature and 357 immature culms in the stand. This happens in the presence of natural destruction of the shoots amounting to 50 per cent every year. 34

55 Discussion The study has shown some results of value in the management of bamboo stands. The mean composition of the population under study in terms of number of culms/ha was as follows. Number of immature culms Number of mature culms : 601 /ha : 2458 /ha Number of cut, dry or damaged culms : 2908 /ha Total number of culms Number of clumps Number of culms /clump : 5967 /ha : 177 /ha : 39 /clump The maximum sustainable harvest worked out to 102 mature culms/ha annually which changed to 464/ha for a five year cutting cycle and to 832 culms/ha for 10 year cycle (Table 10). It was also found that nearly 50 percent of the shoots produced get removed from the stand due to natural forces operating like fire, damage due to elephants, illicit removal or drying up. Had this damage been avoided, the possibility exists for nearly doubling the harvest. The optimization exercise has ignored the fact of gregarious flowering found in bamboo. Long term projections made in this report are subject to major biological interventions like flowering in this case whereby the entire growth process ceases until a new start is made through natural or artificial regeneration. In any case, annual harvests are not currently practical in the case of planted stands managed by government agencies. The current practice is understood to be to remove around 60 per cent of the total number of culms that are harvestable leaving the remaining culms in the stand which include both immature and a few mature culms. We are not able to strike a range for harvests as it is highly influenced by the level of damage suffered by the stands. Long gaps between harvests will result in loss of shoots due to external factors. Optimization of cutting cycle with or without fixed costs associated with harvests indicated a five year cutting cycle to be the best. Every five years, we shall be able to harvest 464 mature culms/ha, retaining 102 mature and 357 immature culms in the stand. The mature culms that are retained should be evenly distributed over the clumps. Retaining this many culms is essential as they will act as supports for the new sprouts/ culms during the ensuing growing season. At the current rates, the value of the harvest worked out to Rs. 27,832/ha every five years less costs of harvesting. This is the position in spite of the natural destruction of the shoots amounting to 50 per cent every year. This implies that if the extent of the damage can be brought down through different management options, the harvests could be increased correspondingly. Limitations and prospects One of the major limitations of the study has been that observations on the number of culms of different size classes were restricted to just three selected clumps within each plot under the expectation that the status of the remaining clumps could be predicted based on the diameter measured on those clumps. However, the relation between diameter and number of culms worked out to be weak and this affected all further calculations. 35

56 The other major constraint was that the stands were under heavy disturbance due to external factors. This was one of the major reasons for weak allometric relations and also lack of relation of growth parameters with soil. It is recommended that the study be continued avoiding the above limitations to the extent possible and also to understand the dynamics of soil under bamboo. Acknowledgements The authors are indebted to the Kerala Forest Research Institute for having granted permission to present this work. Thanks are due to Dr. K. Jayaraman, Programme Co-ordinator (Retd.) Division of Forest Management Information System, KFRI for taking a lead role in working out the problem and for all the encouragement and support extended. The authors thank the Kerala Forest Department and Kerala Forest Development Corporation for the permission given to lay out sample plots in the bamboo forests and plantations under their jurisdiction and the kind support provided during the field work. The assistance given by Mr. Praveen K.P. for collecting the data from bamboo stands and analyzing the same is gratefully acknowledged. References Anonymous, (1997). INBAR booklet. International Development Research Centre, New Delhi, 20 p. Anonymous, (1961). Report on a study on improvement in bamboo forest plantation in India. Japan Consulting Institute, Japan. 72 p. Biswas, S. (1988). Studies on bamboo distribution in north-eastern region of India. Indian For. 114: Buongiorno, J. and Gilles, J.K. (2003). Decision Methods for Forest Resource Management. Academic Press, Amsterdam. 439 p. Cai, R.Q and Wang, K.H. (1985). Observations on the bamboo shoot growth of Phyllostachys fimbriligula, J. Bamboo Research 4(2): Gielis, J., Peeters, H., Gillis, K., Oprins, J. and Deberg, P. (2001). Tissue culture strategies for genetic improvement of bamboo. Acta Hortic.,552: INBAR. (1991). Propagation of bamboo and rattan through tissue culture. IDRC, Delhi. 60 p. INBAR, (1999). Socio-economic issues and constraints in the bamboo and rattan sectors: INBAR s Assessment, Working Paper No. 23, INBAR, Beijing, China. Koshy, K.C. (2010). Bamboos at TBGRI, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute.Kerala, India. 104 p Nair, P.V., Menon, A.R.R. and Krishnankutty, C.N. (2001). Survey and estimation of bamboo resources of Kerala. KFRI Research Report No.221. Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi. 59 p. Negi, S.S. and Naithani, H.B. (1994). Hand Book of Indian Bamboos. Oriental Enterprises. Dehra Dun. 234 p. 36

57 Shanmughavel, P. Francis, K. and George, M. (1997). Plantation bamboo. International Book Distributors, Dehra Dun. 199 p. Sujatha, M.P. (1999). Characterisation of soils under reed (Ochlandra travancorica Benth.) in the Western Ghats of Kerala. Ph.D thesis submitted to Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur. Surendranathan Asari P.K. ( ). Industry oriented management plan for Reeds. Kerala Forest Department. Thiwari D.N. (1992). A Monograph on Bamboo. International Book Distributors, Dehra Dun. 37

58 Introduction Status paper on Production of Bamboos in Gujarat State G.K. Sinha Addl.PCCF, Gujarat Bamboo is the group of perennial evergreens and belongs to grass family Poaceaesub family Bambusoidae, tribe Bambuseae. Bamboo is capable of growing in wide range of soil conditions from perennially poor to perpetually rich and is known to adapt to different soil moisture conditions from drought to flooding stage. Out of the total listed 1250 species of bamboos (75 genera) Worldwide, India with 136 species (65 genera) is the second richest country in bamboo genetic resource after China. Bamboo has wide distribution from sea level to altitude of 1800 m. It occurs in the areas which receive rainfall of 800 mm to 3000 mm in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate regions. Bamboos are one of the fastest growingand highyielding perennials plants. Bamboo sizes ranges from miniature to giant culm of over 60 m. Gujarat State Gujarat state is located in the western most part of India. The area is dry and hot during major part of the year. The rainfall is irregular and erratic leading to frequent droughts. Due to large variation of temperature, rainfall and edaphic characteristics, vegetation is also of various types. The forest areas of Gujarat vary from scrubs and thorn forest of North and Northwestern part of Gujarat to luxuriant and valuable forest in South Gujarat. The occurrence of bamboo as an understorey is a natural component of many forests areas namely (i) Moist teak forest (ii) Slightly moist teak forest (iii) Southern moist mixed deciduous forest (iv) Southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forest (v) Moist bamboo forest (vi) Dry teak forest and (vii) Southern dry mixed deciduous forest. The absence of bamboo in particular area (most districts of Saurashtra & Kachchh regions) is the combined result of edaphic and climaticfactors on one hand and over-exploitation or uncontrolled grazing in gregariously flowered areas in the past or the other. Status of Bamboo in Gujarat State Bamboo is found as an understorey in forests areas of Gujarat State. Out of 22 species of bamboos reported from the State, only two species Dedrocalamusstrictus (Manvel) and Bambusaarundinacea (Katas) are industrially important species found naturally in the forest areas of the State. Distribution of Bamboo in Gujarat State The total geographical area of State is sq. kms whereas the total forest area of Gujarat stands at sq. kms. Total forest area under bamboo in Gujarat is approximately 5850 sq. kms. which forms about 30% of the forest area and about 3% of the total geographical area of the State. Bamboos are found in 14 districts of the State and they are spread over in forest areas of South Gujarat, Central Gujarat, North Gujarat and parts of Western Gujarat. 38

59 District-wise distribution of Bamboo bearing areas in Gujarat (in sq. km) is as under Forest Division District Forest Area (in sq. kms) Bamboo bearing Area (in sq. kms) Valsad (S) Valsad Valsad (N) Valsad&Navsari Dangs (S) Dang Dang (N) Dang Vyara Surat / Tapi Rajpipla (W) Surat / Bharuch Rajpipla (E) Narmada Chhotaudepur Vadodara Godhra Panchmahal Baria Dahod Sabarkantha Sabarkantha Banaskantha Banaskantha Junagadh Junagadh Porbandar Porbandar Total Management System of Bamboo bearing forest areas in Gujarat Bamboos are generally growing as an understorey along with light demander tall species such as Tectonagrandis, Terminaliacrenulata, Mitragynaparvifolia, Albizialebbec and Adina cordifolia. The bamboo bearing areas of Gujarat State are managed with the focus to: (i) improve the conditions of existing bamboo clumps (ii) take up bamboo plantation in non-bamboo and degraded areas suitable for bamboo (iii) reduce the density of bamboos in thick and dense bamboo areas to provide proper space for natural regeneration of valuable species(iv) meet local requirement of bamboos (v) meet commercial requirement of bamboos within silvicultural norms. The bamboo bearing areas are included in bamboo (overlapping) Working Circle in the Working Plans. The rotation is kept at 4 years and the working is based on Selective Thinning of Bamboo Clumps where all the current year, one and two year s old culms apart from 4 to 6 year old culms are retained. Gregarious flowering of bamboos in Gujarat State Most of the bamboos bearing areas of Gujarat State have gregariously flowered during the period from 2005 to The second cycle of gregarious flowering in the bamboo bearing areas of Dangs district took place during 2005 to 2008, whereas it started in Valsad district in 2004 and culminated in In Tapi district bamboo areas started gregariously flowering in and ended in The forest areas of Rajpipla East and West Divisions gregariously flowered between 2008 and The bamboo bearing forest areas of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park as well as forest areas of three main forest Divisions in Saurashtra region spreading in Junagadh, Porbander and Amreli districts flowered in the year

60 Present Status of Production of Bamboo in Gujarat State The production of full length bamboos in the State has sharply declined in past few years considerably, mainly due to recent events of gregarious flowering of bamboo areas as well as restrictions on harvesting of bamboos from Protected Areas. Bamboo production in Gujarat State has been awindling since many years now. The production of full length bamboo was of the tune of above 40 lakhs/bamboos in 1980s which has now gone to below 1 lakh bamboos in the year Three sanctuaries namely Purna sanctuary in Dangs district, Schoolpaneshwar sanctuary in Narmada districtand Ratanmahal sanctuary in Dahod district and Vansda National Park in Navsari district have large bamboo bearing areas. A. The main reasons for reduction in production of bamboos can be enumerated below. i. Gregareous flowering in large track of bamboo bearing forest areas. ii. No extraction of bamboos from Protected Areas of the State due to restriction on removal of bamboo from Supreme Court. iii. Non- working of all bamboo bearing areas due for harvesting in a year due to limited availability of financial resource. iv. Heavy biotic pressure on bamboo bearing forest areas leading to unscientific removal of bamboos and thus reducing the production capacity of the area. v. Bamboo not being the focus of attention in the management of forests and conversion of bamboo bearing areas to plantation areas of other species. vi. Diversion of forest areas for cultivation to illicit encroachers as well as developmental activities. vii. Increase in population of persons living in and around forest areas leading to steep increase in unrecorded removal of bamboos from forest areas. viii. Adverse effect on productivity of the area due to congestion in clumps. ix. Poor regeneration in gregariously flowered forest areas leading to reduction/loss of productivity. B.The detail of production of Bamboos in last 6 years in the State is shown below. Sr. No Year Production of full length* Production of Lops & Tops of Bamboos (No. in lakhs) Bamboos (M.tonnes) NA *18 feet long 40

61 Strategy to increase the production of bamboo in the Gujarat State. GEER Foundation Gandhinagar, an autonomous Institution under Forest Environment Department, Government of Gujarat has conducted socio- Economic Feasibility Study of Bamboos and their products in Gujarat State where in potential capacity of production of bamboo in forest and nonforest area in the state has been estimated as under. S.No Area type Area Present capacity Potential capacity ( in Full Length Lops and Tops Full Length Lops and sq.kms) bamboos (in M.Tonnes) bamboos Tops (in M.Tonnes) (in M.Tonnes) (in M.Tonnes) 1 Forest Area 19,393 1,40,000 1,00,000 36,00,000 24,00,000 2 Non-Forest 1,86,631 1,00,000 6,000 24,00,000 16,00,000 Area Total 2,06,024 2,40,000 1,06,000 60,00,000 40,00,000 Thus it can be seen that there is a vast scope of expansion of bamboo sector in Gujarat State, both in forest as well as non-forest areas. The present capacity has further declined due to recent events of gregarious flowering in large tract of Bamboo areas. The production of bamboo of the tune of potential capacity can be achieved by proper planning, coordination of different departments/agencies, R&D support, availability of funds, and shall also require focus of attention in the management practice of forest areas. The important strategies adopted in the State to increase the bamboo production in the State are discussed below. (i) Protection of regeneration in gregariously flowered areas. Gregariously flowered bamboo areas have the inherent natural capacity to regenerate and recover when effective protection from trampling, grazing and fire is provided in the initial years of regeneration. In Gujarat State, site specific protection plan is prepared with specific details / areawise activity to be carried out for providing effective protection to the area. Separate financial resource is provided for implementation of the protection lan in specific time frame. J. K. Paper Mill, Songadh being a stakeholder has also come forward and contributes in implementation of Protection Plan. (ii) Improvement work in bamboo bearing forest area. The growth and development of bamboo bearing forest areas is largely dependent on treatment provided to the area. The congestion in the bamboo clump adversely affects the growth of rhizomes and lesser number of shoots come up due to competition for space. Improvement work in bamboo coupes reduce the competition for space as broken/damaged culms are removed in the process and sufficient space is created for better growth of clump. In Gujarat State improvement work in bamboo bearing coupes are implemented under State Plan Schemes. Availability of additional 41

62 resources under MGNREGA has also been very handy for taking up improvement work in bamboo areas and improve thes cope / possibility of growth. (iii) Tending operation / silvicultural operation in gregariously flowered areas. Protection of gregariously flowered area, may provide conducive / suitable environment for regeneration in gregariously flowered bamboo areas, but successful regeneration of such areas largely depend on cultural / silvicultural operations carried out from time to time after initial establishment of young shoots in the area, as the growth / attainment of maturity depends on the impact of such operations in the area. This removes broken / damaged culms and facilitates proper growth of new culms by providing sufficient space. (iv) Seed collection from gregariously flowered areas Gregarious flowering of a bamboo area provides a lifetime opportunity for production of bamboo seeds. The ripening period of bamboo seeds is very less; therefore, it is essential to carry out the seed collection in a very short period. It is necessary to ensure that the seeds are collected timely immediately after ripening. In cases ripe seeds are not collected on time and are allowed to remain on site for longer period, it is susceptible to damage by rodents, fire and grazing. It is very important that profuse regeneration takes place in gregariously flowered area so as to bring the area back in the same position after flowering as far as bamboo growth is concerned. For this purpose it is necessary to take care that no seed is collected from areas having sparse or poor seed production, because such areas would require more seeds for regeneration. There should be an arrangement for spread of seeds in all areas with more attention on area having sparse/poor bamboo growth. It is necessary to take extra care for hilly areas, which becomes open after harvesting of bamboos. It is necessary to make contour dykes and small contour trenches on steep slopes for better regeneration. It is generally observed that regeneration of bamboos in whole flowered area is not uniform. In patches, the regeneration is very profuse and it is necessary to carry out periodical thinning of patches / areas having profuse regeneration for achieving better results. (v) Bamboo plantation in forest areas Artificial regeneration is a secure mode of regeneration of barren, blank, sparse and areas of density. In Gujarat, bamboo is a natural associate in teak bearing forest areas, particularly in middle storey and in moist forest areas. In suitable areas for plantation through artificial regeneration, bamboo finds a prominent place in such plantation models. Moreover, pure bamboo plantations are also undertaken in forest areas to stock the area. This will improve the availability of bamboos from forest areas in future. 42

63 Physical Achievements under Bamboo Plantations in Gujarat State is as under. Year Name of Scheme State Govt. Scheme GOI Scheme Bamboo (NBM) (Area in Plantation (Area ha) in ha) Teak, Khair Bamboo (TKB) NAEB (area in ha) (vi) Raising and distribution of bamboo seedlings to farmers under Van Mahotsav Social Forestry Programme is very successful in GujaratState. Under Social Forestry Programme, seedlings of different species are raised for distribution to farmers / individuals / institutions / panchayats / schools and other organizations. Such seedlings are distributed to the end user at a nominal / highly subsidised and /or free of cost in case they fulfill certain laid down norms for exemption for cost. Bamboo is a highly preferred species by farmers, particularly in South Gujarat / Central where bamboo is naturally is found in forest area. Bamboo seedlings are raised under Van Mahotsav Scheme are supplied / distributed to end users for raising the same in land owned by them. This increases the availability of bamboos and demand for bamboo is partially met by bamboos raised by the farmers / individuals. (vii) Improved Variety /Technique for higher productivity. It is seen that generally management of bamboo bearing forest areas is undertaken by age old practices and there is very good scope of improvement in the present management practice of bamboo bearing forest areas to improve the production of bamboo from the area.the following strategies could be adopted for desired results. (a) (b) (c) New species of bamboos, having proven tract record of higher yield which could grow successfully under the prevailing climatic and edaphic conditions in the State could be introduced for higher yield. The species Bambusanutans and Melocanna bacifera (Mulivans), could be introduced in Gujarat State under suitable conditions. Candidate plus Clump of bamboos could be identified and rhizomes could be grown in Clonal Bamboo Orchards to produce fast growing high yielding bamboos. In general, tissue culture in bamboo has been widely successful in many species of bamboos. Since flowering and seed set in most of the important species occurs over long period of time and is essentially unpredictable, the availability of material to initiate cultures is limited. Therefore, micropropagation of bamboo from mature clumps is of great importance. Reports 43

64 (d) of successful macropropagation using explants taken from mature clumps include the species Dendrocalamus strictus, Bambusa arundinaceae and B. vulgaris. New plantation model with intensified inputs for raising High Density Plantation particularly for non- forest areas, where productivity of land is higher could be implemented for achieving very high productivity of bamboo from an area. Such model could be initiated on commercial scale with market tie up to achieve assured results. (viii) Policy initiatives for Bamboo development (i) (ii) Bamboo is a key species found in the forest areas of Gujarat State. However, the focus of management of forest area in the State in the past has mainly been teak and other economically importanttree species. Bamboo needs to be placed as key species in the development agenda of forest areas having good bamboo density / population. In Gujarat State transportation of Bamboo is restricted and transit pass is required for transportation of bamboo in the state. This does not encourage the development of bamboos, particularly from non-forest areas / private farmland involving individuals / farmers. Large tracts of Bamboo bearing forest areas fall within the Protected Areas. Broadly speaking, no bamboo working is carried out in such areas. Many experts are of the opinion that bamboo working under specific / strict regulations from Protected Areas will actually prove beneficial for the Wildlife of the area. This needs to be tried on a pilot basis before adopting the same. (ix) Formation of State Bamboo Development Agency In persuance of direction from Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operation, Government of India, State Bamboo Development Agency has been formed in Gujarat State in the year 2007 for holistic development of Bamboo sector and to persue the objectives under National Bamboo Mission. State Bamboo Development Agency in the State is headed by Principal Secretary, Forests and Environment and has representatives from different stakeholder s agencies / Departments of the Union / State Government as well representatives from NGOs, Universities, Institutions including J.K. Paper Mills, Songadh apart from Research Organization. It provides a platform for improvement of co-ordination amongst different agencies / Departments of the Union / State Government and other stakeholders for development of efficient delivery system. Conclusion At present, Gujarat State is passing through a transition phase of recovery after recent events of gregarious floweringof bamboo in forest areas. It may be safely stated that the peak phase of gap between demand and supply of bamboos is over. Timely action for effective regeneration after flowering has given very encouraging resultsin the state. The quantum of bamboo plantation in suitable areas has also been stepped up in the state. Improvement in technology, introduction of high yielding varieties and scientific management of bamboo bearing forest areas is expected to improve the yield of bamboo from the area. The efforts to increase the availability of bamboos from outside forest areas through Social Forestry Programmes would increase the availability of bamboosandhelp in enhancing the production of bamboos from the State. 44

65 A review of bamboo based agroforestry models developed in different parts of India, productivity and marketing aspects Preamble Rajesh S. Kumar 1, N.K. Binu 2, Nity Nishant 3, Suneesh Buxy 4 and G.N. Sinha 5 Bamboo as a traded commodity has excellent potential to contribute to inclusive development, foreign trade balance as well as in building resilience in the context of climate change. As the domestic bamboo production area and the productivity have been on the decline, alternate strategies for augmentation of domestic bamboo production have been contemplated in the domain. The paper reviews the potential roles of agroforestry in enhancing domestic bamboo production and discusses about the productivity of different bamboo incorporated agroforestry models along with potentials for trade in the domestic as well as in international markets. Key Words: Bamboo production, agroforestry models, marketing. Introduction Bamboo represents a community of woody perennial grass that occur in the tropical and subtropical evergreen and deciduous forest formations of Asia-Pacific. The major consumers of bamboo resources include paper and pulp industry, fuel, food, feed, house construction and scaffolding sectors, producers of several articles of domestic applications, besides its role a significant provider of a host of ecosystem services. India, China and Myanmar have 19.8 million hectares of bamboo reserves which represent 80 % of the world's bamboo forests. India represents the global bamboo growing landscape with 136 species, 23 genera spreading over million ha; which makes it, the second largest bamboo growing country in the world (FSI, 2011). But ironically India s share in global bamboo trade and commerce is only 4 % though it possesses 45 % of global bamboo growth. As per the policy statements, the Government of India would like to see its bamboo industry, concentrated in the northeast of the country, to hold 27 % of the world market by 2015; when the international bamboo trade is expected to touch $ 950 billion. However the recent developments in the sector with greater application of technology such as development of strand-woven bamboo lumber opened up new markets that were traditionally the exclusive preserve of timber wood (Banik, 1997). 1 Member, Indian Forest Service (IFS), and Former Scholar, George August University, Goettingen, Germany (E Mail:rskumarifs@gmail.com) and Author for correspondence. 2 Asst. Professor, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, kerala, India (E Mail: nkbinu1@gmail.com) 3 Former Research Trainee, Department of Forests & Wild Life, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, India, I. P. Estate, New Delhi -2, India (E Mail: ms.nity@gmail.com) 4 4.Member, Indian Forest Service (IFS) and Conservator of Forests, Department of Forests and Wild Life, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, India, I. P Estate, New Delhi -2, India (E Mail: suneeshb@rediffmail.com 5 5.Member, Indian Forest Service (IFS) and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head, Department of Forests and Wild Life, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, India, I. P Estate, New Delhi -2, India (E Mail: gnsinhauk@yahoo.co.uk) 45

66 As per the reports, there has been a wide gap in the demand and supply scenario so far as the bamboo based resources are concerned. The total demand for bamboo products has been estimated at 26.9 million tonnes against a supply scenario of million tonnes (Salam, 2013). The state wise distribution of bamboo in India is given at figure 1. Figure 1. The state wise distribution of bamboo resources in India (Source: FSI, 2011) Though there exists significant diversity in bamboo species and bamboo growing ecosystems across the states, the reports suggest that both bamboo production as well as area under production in the country has been on the decline due to various issues such as over exploitation by industries, forest fires, grazing, shifting cultivation, species displacement, gregarious flowering etc (NBM, 2007). The prevailing negative trend in the bamboo production has been promoting raw material substitution by the paper and pulping industries, displacement of employment opportunities in the cottage industries as well as loss of foreign exchange in importing the material to meet the domestic industrial requirements. However, current market demand and supply gap accentuates the actions for active promotion of the cultivation of bamboo outside the conventional or natural growth areas by involving promising agroforestry models which incorporate bamboo as a potential integral forestry crop component. 2. Bamboo Integrated Agroforestry Models from India Agroforestry offers opportunities for landowners to develop portfolios of short and long term investments that allow offsetting financial risks through diversification. While crop diversification 46

67 gives financial advantages, it also introduces the need for additional management expertise to deal with the added complexity. The term agroforestry denotes practices ranging from simple forms of shifting cultivation to complex hedgerow inter cropping systems; systems including varying densities of tree stands ranging from widely-scattered Faidherbia (Acacia) albida trees in Sahelian millet fields, to the high-density multi storied home gardens of the humid tropics (WAC, 2013). Table 1: Different Agroforestry models with Bamboo as a forestry component as reported in the Indian Context (Source: Nath et al., 2009) Sl.No. Geographic Region / State Models reported in the Indian Context Source 1. Tamil Nadu, Southern Region Soybean (Glycine max) + Bamboo (D. strictus) as inter crop Seshadri (1985) 2. Kallipatty, Tamil Nadu, Southern Region Pigeon pea, Soybean & Turmeric + Bamboo Sp. Shanmughavel Francis, (2001 & 2002) and 3. Konkan, Karnataka, Southern Region mango, cashew nut, jack fruit, kokum rubber + Bamboo Sp. Wagh and Rajput, Degraded agricultural lands, Coorg, Karnataka, Southern Region ginger + Bamboo Sp. Viswanath, Dhanya, and Rathore, Southern Region Rice, tobacco, Chillies, Sugarcane+ Bamboo Sp. 6. Central Region wheat, rice, maize, jowar, bajra, pulses, oil seeds etc+ Bamboos of different species Dwivedi, 1994 Dwivedi, Degraded agricultural lands, Jabalpur, M.P. Central India Soybean (Glycine max), Niger (Guizotia abyssinica), Moong (Phaseolus aureus), Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Urad (Phaseolus mungo), Pegion pea (Cajanas cajan) and Behari,

68 Mustard (Brassica campestris)+ Bamboo Sp. 8. Ghaziabad, UP, Northern region Vermicompost Earthworm with D. asper Anon, North East India Ginger + Bamboo Sp. Jha & Lalnunmawia, North East Region Paddy (Oryza Sativa)+ Bamboo (D. hamiltonii) Dwivedi, Apatanis of North East Region Bamboo cum pine Home Gardens Tanjang and Arunachalam, 2009 The bamboo development policy announced by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development clearly identifies bamboo based agroforestry models in the scheme of financing models developed by it for promotion of the bamboo sector with an integrated approach. The strategy focuses on the launching interventions and developing business opportunities in the untapped domain of waste land development with suitable agroforestry or farm forestry interventions. The different agroforestry models with bamboo as a potential forestry component that have been reported in the Indian context are abstracted in the Table 1 given below; Thus it could be seen that, there have been evidences of development of performing agroforestry models incorporating bamboo as a tree component across different parts of the country. These models could potentially address the issues of inclusive development, rural food security as well as building up the required resilience in the landscape based production systems in the context of the climate change. The different aspects related to the productivity of such models are discussed here below. 3. Productivity of bamboo integrated agroforestry systems As per the reports, the annual incremental biomass production on air-dry basis for a bamboo plantation can range from 10 to 40 tonnes ha -1 depending on the species, planting density, soil, and climate, including slope and aspect of a hill. In India, bamboo plantations are normally raised at spacing of 6 X 6 m to meet the increasing demand for bamboo products. There have been reports of the attempts to cultivate agricultural crops in bamboo plantations. The inter cropping of agricultural crops (pigeon pea, soybean, turmeric and ginger) in established bamboo plantations was tested in one of the experiments. The growth, yield and land equivalent ratio (LER) of the agroforestry systems were determined (the land equivalent ratio (LER) which is a convenient method for measuring biological productivity is defined as the land area in a mono cropping system that would be required to produce the same yield as one ha of intercropping). The study results indicate that the LER was 1.2 in the bamboo/ pigeon pea and bamboo/ soybean models, but 1.1 in the bamboo/ turmeric and bamboo/ ginger models. This means that the productivity of one hectare under intercropping is equivalent to that of 1.2 ha or 1.1 ha under monoculture (Shanmughavel and Francis, 2001). 48

69 Similar investigations aimed at assessing systematically planted bamboo crop with that of traditional horticultural crops like, mango, cashew nut, jackfruit and kokum (Curcinia indica) along with newly introduced crop like rubber in terms of economic products and monetary returns; also resulted in bamboo recording the highest cumulative yield at a density of 418 plants ha -1 and ranked first in terms of income per hectare followed by cashew nut (120 plants ha -1 ) and mango (90 plants ha -1 ) during-early growth period (up to 10 years)(wagh and Rajput, 1991). An economic analysis of bamboo based agroforestry system revealed that the tulsi-wheat combination, irrespective of the bamboo displayed maximum return followed by the aloe vera. Maximum total net return (Rs. 3, 05,540-Rs. 4,86,419 y -1 ) was displayed by tulsi-wheat cropping system under the Dendrocalamus asper. The returns were found quite higher in agricultural crop than bamboo species (Bhardwaj, 2007). The studies done in the mixed home gardens of Kerala, shows that bamboo (Bambusa bambos) holds the second position in terms of profitability (Benefit-Cost ratio-bcr) among the crop groups. The high BCR ratio of bamboo was due to negligible inputs and high farm price (Krishnankutty, 2004). Behari (2001) developed successful seven agroforestry models with three bamboos (B. bamboos, B. nutans and D. strictus). The inter crops tried were: Soybean, Niger, Moong, Wheat, Urad, Pigeon and Mustard. These models were developed to restore the degraded agricultural lands in central India. The studies carried out in the abandoned paddy fields in Coorg, Karnataka planting bamboo (D. brandisii) at 6m x 6m spacing, intercropped with ginger showed the highest NPV (net present value) and LEV (Land expectation value). This may be attributed to low input costs associated with bamboo farming and higher market value of the produce over a longer period (Viswanath and Rathore, 2007). These land use systems are characterized by three basic attributes such as Productivity, Sustainability and Adaptability and thus addressing the adaptive requirements of the systems on the face of climate change impacts as well as to provide inclusiveness in the economic and social development of the stakeholders in the context of sustainable development. The studies in the domain indicate the positive synergies of the bamboo component in the agroforestry models. However, more documentation and analysis will help to improve the domain to develop it as a highly adopted farm production-business model. Marketing prospects As per the reports, the world market potential for the bamboo products is expected to reach $ 20 billion by Though Indian landscape represents 45 % of the global bamboo growth, the current market share enjoyed by the Indian bamboo products is to a meager extent of 4.5 % of the global market share. However, the National Mission on Bamboo Technology and Trade Development targets to capture 25 % of the world market by The National Bamboo Development Policy also envisages comprehensive development of bamboo resources as a marketable commodity with linkage of bamboo farmers with bamboo artisans (NABARD, 2013). As per the estimates of the Planning Commission of India, the market potential for value added bamboo products has been estimated at Rs.4463 crores against the current market size of Rs crores (Planning Commission, 2013) with 8.6 million people in India depend upon bamboo resources for their livelihoods. However, reports suggest that, the bamboo value chain in India is suffering from different challenges at different levels of the value chain. The major constraints reported include legal issues, over exploitation, poor regeneration, low productivity, variety management and 49

70 biodiversity conservation, lack of market information, base line data deficiencies, labour availability, capital intensive production process, fragmented nature of the industry, undeveloped markets poor quality perceptions and low level of awareness etc. Owing to these constraints, the scenario of bamboo utilization in India is by and large confined to the cottage industries; micro home based enterprises such as handicrafts, and the traditional bamboo consuming paper and pulp industries (Baksy, 2013). It has also been projected that emerging bamboo markets such as wood substitutes, flooring, panels, and new generation furniture underscore potential growth opportunities for bamboo. The other business aspects such as market accessibility, cost effectiveness, economies of scale, etc. also are reported to affect the market attractiveness of the bamboo industry. However accessibility (a combined result of different factors such as price/performance competitiveness, trade conditions, standards and regulations and buyer attitudes) is a major market indicator of the penetrability of the bamboo products in the global market (Ggreenflip, 2013). Nevertheless, with the growing market access, institutional and financial arrangements in place in the national scenario, the market prospects could be expected to provide more buoyancy to the industry by involving different production business models in the ecosystem. Conclusions and suggestions As could be observed from the above review and discussion, bamboo resources position themselves as potential market entities so far as the domestic as well as international trade scenarios are concerned. The bamboo products and marketing have multiple roles to play in the inclusive economic development of the country, especially in the context of the rural populace which dependent heavily on the bamboo resources for their livelihood. The value chain analysis of the bamboo products and consumption also implies that bamboo resources have strong industrial stakes and tremendous potential in pro-poor impact in the development strategies and programmes. The integrated approaches for enhancing bamboo production through multiple strategies including positioning of agroforestry in the production context is expected bridge the demand supply gap in domestic market as well as to promote inclusive development in the context of climate change with multiplayer impacts on employment generation and food security. Though agroforestry based bamboo production models help to bridge the supply gap in the bamboo trade and market to certain extent, there need to be further solid strides taken in the areas of market development, integration, value chain management, skill development, insurance etc in the production and utilization domains.. References Anon, (2006 ). Economics of carrying out plantation of bamboo: A case study on cultivation of Dendrocalamus asper. Agro Forestry model with vermicompost at Merino Farm, Garh Mukteshwar, Dist Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Merino Century Laminating Co. Ltd., Village Achheja, P.O. Hapur Distt. Ghaziabad (UP) [source : National Mission on Bamboo Applications, New Delhi] Baksy, A. (2013). The bamboo industry in India: supply chain structure, challenges and recommendations. CCS working paper # 283, July 2013 Banik, R. L. (1997). Domestication and improvement of bamboos. INBAR working paper No. 10. Behari Bipin. (2001). Agroforestry models of bamboo cultivation on degraded agricultural lands. Ph.D. Thesis. Guru Ghasidas University, 50

71 Bhardwaj, D.R., (2007). Development of Bamboo based Agroforestry Models for Himachal Pradesh, retrieved 19 December 2013 from Dwivedi, A. P. (1994), Agro-forestry principles and practices. Training manual, Soil and water conservation and management. College of forestry. Forest Survey of India. (2011). India State of Forest Report, Published by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of retrieved 17 December 2013 from Greenflip (2013). retrieved 17 December 2013 from Jha, L. K. & Lalnunmawia, F. (2004). Agroforestry with bamboo and ginger to rehabilitate degraded areas in North East India. Journal of Bamboo & Rattan, 2 (2): Krishnankutty, C. N. (2004). Benefit-cost analysis of bamboo in comparison with other crops in mixed cropping home gardens in Kerala State, India J. Bamboo and Rattan, 3(2): Mayank, M (2008). Techno-Economic Feasibility Study for Setting up Bamboo SMEs, NMBA, India Mehra, S. P. & Mehra L. K., (2007). Bamboo Cultivation - Potential and Prospects. Technical Digest, vol 10, 2007, retrieved 17 December 2013 from Nath, S., Das, R., Chandra, R. and Sinha, A., (2009). Bamboo Based Agroforestry for Marginal Lands with Special Reference to Productivity, Market Trend and Economy, symposium on 21st March, 2009, Ranchi. Jharkhand. NBM(National Bamboo Mission, India). (2013). retrieved 17 December 2013 from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. (2013). retrieved 17 December 2013 from Planning Commission, Govt. of India. (2013). retrieved 17 December 2013 from planningcommission.nic.in/ Salam, K. ( 2013) Connecting the poor : Bamboo, Problems and prospect. South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SABF) retrieved 17 December 2013 from jeevika.org/bamboo/2g-article-fornbda.docx. Seshadri, P. (1985). Intercropping of bamboo (D. strictus) with Soybean An agroforestry study. Ph.D. Thesis. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 480p. Shanmughavel, P. and Francis, K. (2001). Intercropping trials of four crops in bamboo plantations. Journal of Bamboo & Rattan, 1 (1) : 3-9. Singh, P. and Singh, A. N. (2009). World Agroforestry Centre, Annual Report retrieved 17 December 2013 from /Annual%20Report% pdf Tanjang and Arunachalam. (2009). Role of traditional home garden systems in Northeast India. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 8 (1), January 2009, pp Viswanath, S., Dhanya, B. and Rathore, T. S. (2007). Domestication of Dendrocalamus brandisii in upland paddy fields in Coorg, Karnataka. J. Bamboo and Rattan, 6(3 & 4): Wagh, R. and Rajput, J.C. (1991). Comparative Performance of Bamboo with the Horticultural Crops in Konkan. In : Bamboo in Asia and Pacific. Proc. IV Intl. Bamboo Workshop,

72 Nov Chiangmai, Thailand, FORSPA Publication-6. Canada. IDRC and FORSPA, Bangkok, Thailand, 1994 : World Agroforestry Centre. (2013). retrieved 19 December, 2013 from 52

73 Abstract Status of Bamboo and its productivity in Arunachal Pradesh R.K. Taj State Forest Research Institute Department of Environment & Forests Arunachal Pradesh: Itanagar The tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh traditionally cultivate varieties of bamboos for day-to-day requirements in the home gardens as well as collected from natural forests. The home gardens practices provide raw materials and food security throughout the year and to supple the environmental uncertainties. The bamboo species are choosen based on their traditional utility like house construction, mat making, shoots consumption, etc. This study enlist diversity, growth, productivity and biomass of different bamboo species found in Arunachal Pradesh to generate valuable information that contribute to the national data base on bamboo and its role in socio economic development of the marginal people of the country. This study gives enough platforms to test, synthesis or disprove hypothesis of scientific interests which has relevance to the people of Arunachal Pradesh in particular and country as a whole and to understand the linkages between science and social implications. The study revealed that, the biomass of bamboos varies from 0.04 to kg/culm, including economic and non-economic parts respectively. The difference in the biomass content has been due to the nature of their growth. The highest biomass content was recorded in Dendrocalamus latiflorus (75.77 kg/culm) and Dendrocalamus giganteus (70.28 kg/culm). The fresh yield of bamboos per hectare varies from 2.36 to tons/ha while dry yield productivity ranges between 1.60 to tons/ha, depending upon intensity of stocking and biotic interferences. The highest fresh yield productivity was recorded in Bambusa bambos tones/ha, while lowest fresh yield productivity was found in Arundinaria racemosa (2.36 tons/ha). Also, highest dry weight in yield and productivity was found in Guadua angustifolia ( tons/ha), whereas, lowest in Arundinaria racemosa (1.60 tons/ha). It was revealed that despite showing highest biomass content, the yield and productivity was found to be lower than that of Bambusa bambos due to their lesser plant density per hectares because of larger spacing and presence of few numbers of culms per clump. Thus, it can be concluded that productivity per hectare is not only determined by the biomass but also by its intensity of stocking or presence of number of culms per clump and spacing. Introduction North East India comprises of eight states of which Arunachal Pradesh is one of the largest states, located between and N latitude and and E longitude covering an area of 83,743 sq.km, predominantly high ridges, valleys, plateaus, and gorges are the features of its landscape with physiographic variation ranges between 150 m to 5000 m from msl. The state has been broadly divided into four physiographic regions viz, A. The greater and lesser Himalayascomparises of rocky, barren and snow capped, summits and ridges, hill side slopes, moderately steep hills with narrow valleys, dissected low lands; B. The Siwaliks - comprises of summits, ridges, and Dun type valleys and hill side slopes; C. The Purvanchal- comprises of low amplitudinal hills and high ampitudinal hills; D. The Brahmaputra plains- comprises of upland and flood plains. The Arunachal Pradesh consists of 16 districts, 45 Sub-Divisions and

74 Administrative Circles and has international boundary with China in the north, Bhutan in west and Myanmar in the South East.The state is inhabited by 25 major tribes and 110 sub- tribes. Bamboo is one of the very common species observed up to 3000 metre altitude throughout the state. The BAMBOO commonly called as Poor man s timber is most diverse, primitive, unique and fastest growing grass belonging to the family poaceae having woody culms, complex branching, infrequent flowering and generally underground rhizome system with roots, runners and buds. Bamboo forms a major constituent of the forest vegetation in term of Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP), which has become inseparable part of daily life particularly those of rural communities. The global bamboo diversity is 1250 species with 75 genera covering a total geographical area of 22 million hectares, out of which India has more than 136 species spread over a geographical area of 8.9 million hectares. Bamboo has multipurpose applications with more than 1500 possible uses and generates US $ 4.5 billion trade in the world. More than 2.5 billion people in the world use bamboo and 1 billion people live in bamboo houses. Due to multiplicity of its uses bamboo is now called as the Timber of the 21 st century. Bamboos are evergreen, beautiful in appearance and good for landscaping. Simultaneously, bamboo provides other environmental services, such as Soil binding, water conservation and enhancing soil fertility. The people of Arunachal Pradesh grow different types of bamboo species in their homestead garden as per their requirement, but in some fragments of West Kameng and Tawang districts such practices are not seen. This may be due to lack of awareness regarding the bamboo cultivation or its climatic conditions not conducive for sympodial bamboo cultivation. Different ethnic groups across the state have shown tremendous impact on the diversity of bamboo. The state has been bestowed with varied altitudinal and climatic condition that ranges from tropical to alpine zones. Some species are found in higher altitude, some in lower altitude and while others are endemic to this state. For example, Yushania maling is found only in higher altitudes and Bambusa pallida in mid altitude. The bamboo plays a vital role in the day to day life of the people of Arunachal Pradesh. The whole plant including rhizomes is very useful. Bamboo are used in house construction, containers, suspension bridge, water pipes, agricultural implements, hunting weapons, households articles like utensils, mats, etc. and also fire woods purposes. For instance, Bambusa pallida is mostly used for construction of indigenous house, Bambusa balcooa are used for post or supporting structures of indigenous house like pillars, Dendrocalamus giganteus are used in house construction like floor, wall, ceiling, utensils, storing basket for grains, traditional ladder, etc. In addition to that, the aborigine also uses bamboo in their traditional practices such as taboos, ethno magical belief, and sacred maintenance, etc. The present investigation has a background of relevance to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, as well as regional and national level which scientific community is curious to know and understand the linkages between science and social implications. The total bamboo growing area in the state of Arunachal Pradesh has been estimated as sq. km pure patches ( NESAC,2007 ) and 4590 sq. km with mixed forest (FSI report,2005) from the total geographical area of (83743 sq. km) of the state. Individual district wise estimate of bamboo growing area has also been presented. The extensive survey was conducted covering entire state with three times representing summer and winter months and few plots were selected in each district considering the heterogeneity of the species distribution as well as based on climatic and 54

75 topographic conditions. The temperate to alpine bamboo species are such as Yushania, Arundinaria, Borinda, etc. and subtropical to temperate bamboo species are Phyllostachys, Chimonobambusa, Neomicrocalamus, etc. whereas tropical to subtropical bamboo species are Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, Schizostachyum, etc. Table: District wise estimate of Pure patches bamboo growing areas of Arunachal Pradesh SL NO. DISTRICTS Geographical Area (Sq. km) Area Under Bamboo (Sq. km) 1. Papum Pare Changlang West Kameng Lohit Upper Siang Kurung Kumey Upper Subansiri West Siang Dibang Valley Tirap Lower Subansiri East Kameng Lower Dibang Valley Anjaw East Siang Tawang Total (Courtesy: NESAC, 2007) 55

76 All the parts of plant are used in different value added forms (VAF), culms including rhizomes are used as charcoal, household appliances like water filtering candles, carbon absorbent devices like cigarette filter and various types of industrial products like mat board, chop stick, tooth pick stick, fire wood, panel, tiles, paper and pulp, plywood, packing material, curtain, corrugated sheet, particle boards, water pipe, utensils/ containers, trapping devices, bridges and house construction, etc. leaves are used as various kind of drugs, packing materials, containers, cups, animal fodder, etc. Shoots are used as vegetables, pickle, vinegar, spices and additives of soft drinks like beer. Besides these, bamboo is also considered to be one the best soil binding and carbon absorbent plants in the world, (INBAR s agenda for the 21 st century, 2000; Taj et al., 2007). The bamboo based vegetation of Arunachal Pradesh comprises of five broad types viz., tropical (up to 900m), sub-tropical ( m), temperate ( m) and alpine forests (above 3500m), respectively (SFRI Information Bulletin No. 27). The districts of Changlang, East Siang, East Kameng, Lohit, Papum Pare, Upper Siang and Upper Subansiri with some parts of Tirap and Lower Dibang Valley are dominant with tropical type of bamboo vegetation whereas, Anjaw, Dibang Valley, Kurung Kumey, Lower Subansiri and West Siang with some parts of Tirap and Lower Dibang Valley are covered with sub-tropical bamboo forests. Further, West Kameng and Tawang districts are predominant with temperate and alpine type of bamboo forests, respectively. The cultivation of bamboo becomes common only after sixth century in India (Chandrashekara, et al 2008). In India with particular to Arunachal Pradesh, till today villagers who are not having bamboo home gardens were collecting bamboo from wild sources for economic and social uses. However only selected bamboo species like Bambusa tulda, B.pallida, B. nutans,b. balcoa, Phyllostachys manii, etc. are cultivated with minimum areas but with high yield and productivity rate. This paper discussed on yield and productivity of different bamboo species both under wild and cultivated. The harvesting or felling period for culm of different bamboo species differs from region to region and country to country. In Arunachal context, the traditional harvesting period depends on moon cycle and off season shoot growth period. The bamboos are harvested during full moon period to avoid insect - pests attack and during winter months of off- season shoot period from September to January to avoid damage on shoot growth. Jagdish and Nautiyal (2008) also reported that in southern India bamboos are harvested during end of the growing season to early spring from October to March. Methodology 1.1 Study site The yield and productivity survey was conducted in the selected sites of all the districts of Arunachal Pradesh viz. Anjaw Dist. (Hawai, Hyuliang, Kibitho & Wallong), Changlang Dist. (Changlang, Pangsu Pass & Nampong), Dibang Valley Dist. (Anini & Mipi), East Siang Dist. (Pasighat, Ranging, Sikabameng, Mirsam and Mirku), East Kameng Dist. (Seppa, Chayangtajo, Bamin & Pipu), Kurung Kumey Dist. (Koloriang, Damin, Parsiparlo & Sangram), Lower Subansiri Dist. (Yazali, Raga, Hong & Hija), Lower Dibang Valley Dist. (Roing, Mayodia & Jia), Lohit Dist. (Tezu, Namsai, Tafragam & Chowkham), Papum Pare Dist. (Naharlagun, Doimukh, Balijan, Kimin & Itanagar), Tawang Dist. (Tawang, Lumla, Bumla, Zemithang, PT-Tso & Jang), Tirap Dist. (Lapnam, Khonsa & New Tupi Village), Upper Siang Dist. (Gopuk village & Yingkiong), Upper 56

77 Subansiri Dist. (Daporijo, Raga, Dumporijo, Dulom & Poch geku), West Siang Dist. (Darak, Aloo, Basar, Kaying & Mechuka ), West Kameng Dist. (Bomdila, Nafra & Dirang) using geo-references. The survey and data collection was repeated twice a year representing summer and winter months for three years. 1.2 Yield The yield per hectare for different bamboo species has been worked out considering both monopodial and symopdial bamboo. The yield and productivity per hectare has been converted to tones per hectare by using following formula derived by the authors: Monopodial bamboo Yield per hectare (in Kg) = Total no. of harvestable culm/ha X weight of per culm Yield per hectare Yield per hectare (in tones) = Sympodial bamboo Yield per hectare (in Kg) =Total no. of clump X total no. of harvestable culm/ha X weight of per culm 1.3 Biomass 1000 Yield per hectare (kg) Yield per hectare (in tones) = Biomass is the standing crop expressed in terms of weight of the living matter present in it. To measure the biomass and productivity, the bamboo stands have been divided and sampled into the familiar components as under: Economic part (comprising of stems or culms) Non-economic part (comprising of leaves, branches, coarse roots or rhizome and fine roots). Bamboo may not grow in pure stands, so a complicating factor may be the necessity to include other types of vegetation in the quantification of total biomass or to arrive at a satisfactory method of estimating the proportion of the area covered by bamboo. This seems likely to be more problematic with sympodial bamboo which grows in clumps than with monopodial bamboo which grows in stands. The methodology for quantifying bamboo biomass was calculated by Harvest Method (Kershaw, 1973). At least, five culm of each species were used in order to get accurate biomass of the bamboo. Different species of bamboo culm was uprooted from the ground including rhizomes. After uprooting, the non-economic parts (leaves, branches, rhizomes, culm-sheaths, etc.) were separated from the economic part (culm). This was followed by measurement of total length and girth of an individual culm. Each culm was cut above ground level (1/2 or 1 m from the ground) to separate it 57

78 from the rhizome. The culm was then excise to pieces of about 1m followed by recording of fresh weight of both economic and non-economic parts. After recording the fresh weight of both economic and non-economic parts, they were allowed to sun drying for 48 days at normal room temperature in order to obtain their dry weight. 3. Estimation of moisture content were obtained by measuring the difference between fresh weight and dry weight of both economic and non-economic parts. Results and Discussions The results of fresh weight, dry weight and weight loss in 87 bamboos species including cultivars both cultivated and natural stands are presented in tabular form ( Table-1) Table-1. Showing details of fresh and dry weight along with weight loss of different bamboo species Sl. No Name of bamboo Species Fresh weight (in Kg) Dry weight/biomass (in Kg) Weight loss (in Kg) Eco. Part Noneco. part Total Weight Eco. Part Noneco. part Total Weight Eco. Part Noneco. part Total Weight 1 Arundinaria racemosa Bambusa affinis Bambusa arundinacea Bambusa assamica Bambusa balcoa Bambusa bambos Bambusa glaucescens Bambusa goruchakua Bambusa cacharensis Bambusa longispiculata

79 11 Bambusa multiplex Bambusa nutan Bambusa tulda Bambusa nana Bambusa tulda Cv.gathia jati Bambussa pallida Bambusa pallida Cv. khonsa Bambusa polymorpha Bambusa vulgaris Bambusa vulgaris Cv. striata Bambusa vulgaris Cv. wamin Bambusa sp. cv. mang-e-toh Bambusa sp. Cv.maitang Borinda sp. Cv. shiang Borinda grosa Chimnobambusa armata Chimnobambusa callosa Chimnobambusa graffithina

80 Dendrocalamus asper Dendrocalamus calostachys Dendrocalamus giagentus Dendrocalamus sp. Cv. hawaiensis Dendrocalamus sp. Cv. halap Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Dendrocalamus hookeri Dendrocalamus latiflorus Dendrocalamus strictus Dendrocalamus brandisaii Cv. hevi Drepanostachyum anulatum Drepanostachyum khasianum Drepanostachyum microphyllum Dinochloa compactiflora Dinochloa sp. Cv. kara Fargesia nitida Gigantochloa albociliata

81 Guadua angustifolia Himalayacalamus sp. Cv. nyunma Melocana baccifera Neomicrocalamus pranii Neomicrocalamus andropogonifolius Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. Pangsu pass Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. tonsing Ochlandra scriptoria Ochlandra travancoria Oxytenanthera abyssinica Oxytenanthera purvifolia Pleioblastus simonii Phyllostachys pubescens Phyllostachys manii Phyllostachys glauca Phyllostachys aurea Psedosasa japonica

82 Schizostachyum latifolium Schizostachyum polymorphum Schizostachyum pergacile Schizostachyum capitatum Schizostachyum sp. Cv. geeta Schizostachyum arunanchalansis Schizostachyum helferi Schizostachyum dullooa Schizostachyum seshagirianim Schizostachyum fuchsianum Sinarundinaria hirsuta Sinarundinaria falcata Sinarundinaria sp Cv. shili shi Sinarundinaria intermedia Sinarundinaria sp Cv.nyuim Sinarundinaria sp Cv.sanyuim Sasa fortunei

83 Thamnocalamus sp. Cv. bomdila Thamnocalamus spathiflorous Thyrostachys oliveri Thyrostachys regia Yushania microphylla Yushania malling Yushania gracilis Yushania sp. Cv. taj Table 2: Descriptive statistics biomass of different bamboo species in Arunachal Pradesh Descriptive Statistics Average Mean Standard Deviation Coefficient of Variation (%) Fresh weight (in Kg) Dry weight (in Kg) Weight loss (in Kg) Eco. Part Noneco. Part Total eight Eco. part Noneco. Part Total weight Eco. Part Noneco. Part Total weight Maximum Minimum Range

84 The fresh weight and dry weight varied significantly from bamboo species to species. The highest total fresh and dry weight was recorded in Dendrocalamus latiflorous (105.67, Kg) followed by D. giganteus (105.51, Kg). Though the plant size is bigger in D. giganteus than D. latiflorous but weight is lesser which may be due to lesser culm thickness in D. giganteus. Bamboos like Sinarundinaria hirsute, Yushiana, Arundinaria has very negligible weight as compared to D. latiflorous due to its size. Commercially important medium size bamboo like Bambusa tulda, B.nutans, Phyllostachys pubescens, Phyllostachys manii, etc, has medium weight. Table -3. Showing details of highest and lowest biomass content of different bamboo species Nature of Bamboo Biomass content (kg per culm) Economic part Non-economic part Total I. Based on the type of rhizome i.) Monopodial (Highest) 1.Phyllostachys pubescens Phyllostachys manii (Lowest) Arundinaria racemosa Sinarundinaria hirsuta ii.) Sympodial (Highest) 1.Dendrocalamus latiflorus Dendrocalamus giganteus (Lowest) 1.Thamnocalamus Spathiflorus Thamnocalamus sp. Cv. Bomdila II Based on nature of the growth. i. Shrub type (Highest) 1. Schizostachyum polymorphum Schizostachyum seshagirinium (Lowest) 1. Arundinaria racemosa

85 2. Sinarundinaria hirsuta ii. Reed type (Highest) 1. Phyllostachys manii Ochlandra scriptoria (Lowest) 1. Phyllostachys aurea Phyllostachys glauca iii. Arborescent type (Highest) 1.Dendrocalamus latiflorus Dendrocalamus giganteus (Lowest) 1.Melocana bacifera Schizostachyum latifolium iv. Climber type (Highest) 1.Schzostachyum arunachalensis Schzostachyum capitatum (Lowest) 1. Neomirocalamus sp. Cv. tonsing Dinochloa sp. Cv. kara A comparison of the data in tables shows variation in biomass level for different bamboo species. The total biomass ranged from 0.04 kg/culm (Arundinaria racemosa) to kg/culm (Dendrocalamus latiflorus) with a mean value of kg per culm. Maximum biomass content was found to be present in the culm/economic part ( 0.01 kg/culm in Arundinaria racemosa to kg/culm in Dendrocalamus latiflorus) with a mean value of 8.40 kg per culm, whereas, biomass of non-economic parts (branches, leaves, rhizomes, etc.) ranged between 0.03 kg/culm (Arundinaria racemosa, Sinarundinaria hirsuta) and kg/culm (Dendrocalamus latiflorus) with a mean value of 2.09 kg per culm. The data shows high variation in the biomass content, for instance, among the monopodial, highest biomass was recorded in Phyllostachys pubescens ( kg/culm) including economic and non- 65

86 economic parts, followed by Phyllostachys manii ( 3.62 kg/culm) whereas biomass content was minimum in Arundinaria racemosa ( 0.04 kg/culm) followed by Sinarundinaria hirsuta ( 0.04 kg/culm), respectively, (see from analysis table ). Again, within the sympodial, Dendrocalamus latiflorus ( kg/culm) showed highest biomass content followed by Dendrocalamus giganteus ( kg/culm) while the lowest content in biomass was seen in Thamnocalamus spathiflorus ( 0.15 kg/culm) followed by Thamnocalamus sp. Cv. bomdila ( 0.23 kg/culm), respectively, (see table). Further, among the shrub types, highest biomass content was recorded in Schizostachyum polymorphum ( 2.26 kg/cum) followed by Schizostachyum seshagirinium ( 1.92 kg/culm), while the lowest content in biomass was recorded in Arundinaria racemosa ( 0.04 kg/culm) and Sinarundinaria hirsuta ( 0.04 kg/culm), as provided in table. Among the reed type, highest biomass content was recorded in Phyllostachys manii ( 3.61 kg/culm) followed by Ochlandra scriptoria ( 2.55 kg/culm) whereas, the lowest content in biomass was recorded in Phyllostachys aurea ( 0.55 kg/culm) followed by Phyllostachys glauca ( 0.70 kg/culm). Also, within the arborescent (tree) types, highest biomass content was recorded in Dendrocalamus latiflorus ( kg/culm) followed by Dendrocalamus giganteus ( kg/culm), and the lowest biomass content was recorded in Melocana baccifera ( 1.49 kg/culm) and Chimnobambusa graffithiana ( 2.01 kg/culm). It also shows the highest biomass content in Schzostachyum arunachalensis ( 6.33 kg/culm) followed by Schzostachyum capitatum ( 5.59 kg/culm) and lowest biomass content in Neomirocalamus sp. Cv. tonsing ( 0.36 kg/culm) which was followed by Dinochloa sp. Cv. kara ( 0.82 kg/culm). Isagi et al. (1997) reported that total biomass of Phyllostachys pubescens ( 138 tons/ha). Also, Lin Yiming (2000) has reported the total biomass of Dendrocalamus latiflorus ( tons/ha). Productivity The rate of production that is amount of organic matter accumulated in the living component of bamboo in unit time is referred to as productivity of the bamboo. The yield and productivity in bamboo is determined by spacing, type of bamboos (monopodial & sympodial) and species. Spacing Based on the size and growth pattern of different sympodial and monopodial bamboo species, the standard spacing has been developed by considering both natural habitation and captive plantation after through survey and worked out the total number of plant population per hectares. Table :4. Planting distance/ Spacing of different bamboo species as practiced by bamboo growers in Arunachal Pradesh Groups Plant to plant spacing Monopodial Name of bamboo species Total no of culm per hectare Sympodial Name of bamboo species Total no. of clumps per hectare A 0.5X 0.5 Arundinaria 66

87 m racemosa, Sinaundinaria hirsuta. 40, B 1 X 1 m Chimonobambusa callosa, Melocana baccifera, Phyllostachy aurea, P. glauca, P.manii, Pleioblatus simonii, Yushania gracilis, Y. microphylla, Yushania sp. Cv.taj, Yushania sp. Cv. taer. Yushania maling 10, C 2 X 2 m Phyllostachys pubescens, Schizostichyum capitatum, S. polymorphum, S. seshagirianum. 2,500 Bambusa nana, Borinda sp. Cv. shiang, Dinocola sp. Cv. kara, 67 Drepanostachyum anulatum, D. microphyllum, D.khasianum, Himalayanacalamus sp., Neomicrocalamus andropogonifolius, N. prainii, N. sp. Cv. pangsu pass, N. sp. Cv. tonsing, Pseudosasa japonica, Sasa fortunei, Sinarundinaria falcata, S.intermedia, S. sp. Cv. shili shi S. sp. Cv nyium, Sinarundinaria sp. 2,500

88 Cv. sanyium, Thamnocalamus spathiflorus,thamnocalamus sp. Cv.bomdila D 4 X 4 m Bambusa affinis, B. assamica, B. glaucescens, B.multiplex, Borinda 625 grossa, Chimonobambusa armata, C.graffithina, Dinocola compactiflora, Ochlandra scriptoria, O.travancoria, Schizostichyum arunachalensis, S.capitatum, S. dullooa, S.fuchisianum, S. helferii, S. latifolium, S.sp. Cv.geeta, E 5 X 5 m Bambusa goruchakua, B. longispiculata, B. pallida, B. pallida Cv. khonsa, B. tulda, B. tulda sp. Cv. gathia jati, 400 B. sp. Cv.maitang, Dendrocalamus calostachys D.strictus, Gigantochloa 68

89 albociliata, Oxytenanthera abyssinica, O.purvifolia, Schizostichyum pergracile, Thyrostachys oliveri, T. regia. F 6 X 6 m Bambusa cacharensis, B. sp. Cv. mang-e-tho, B. nutans, B. polymorpha, B vulgaris Cv.wamin, Guadua angustifolia, Dendrocalamus brandisaii, Dendrocalamus sp. Cv. halap. 278 G 7 X 7 m Bambusa arundinacea, B. bamboos, B. balcoa, B. vulgaris, B vulgaris Cv. striata, Dendrocalamus asper, D. hamiltonii, D. sp. Cv hawaiensis, 204 D. hokerii. H 10 X 10 m Dendrocalamus giagentus, D. latiflorous. 100 The bamboo varies greatly differs in their nature of growth and rhizome type, the biomass content also differs greatly. Therefore, to make it justified, the plants has been classified as monopodial and sympodial based on rhizome type, and shrub, arborescent and climber (based on the nature of their growth). Accordingly the yield per hectare has been worked out and presented in table below: 69

90 Table 5- Yield per hectare (Fresh weight) of different bamboo species in Arunachal Pradesh Sl.No. Name of Bamboo species Monopodial/ Sympodial Yield per ha (in Kg) Yield Per ha (in tones) 1 Arundinaria racemosa Monopodial Bambusa affinis Sympodial Bambusa assamica Sympodial Bambusa arundinacea Sympodial Bambusa balcoa Sympodial Bambusa bamboos Sympodial Bambusa cacharensis Sympodial Bambusa glaucescens Sympodial Bambusa goruchakua Sympodial Bambusa longispiculata Sympodial Bambusa multiplex Sympodial Bambusa nana Sympodial Bambusa nutans Sympodial Bambusa pallida Sympodial Bambusa pallida Cv. khonsa Sympodial Bambusa polymorpha Sympodial Bambusa tulda Sympodial Bambusa tulda Cv. gathia jati Sympodial Bambusa vulgaris Sympodial Bambusa vulgaris Cv. straita Sympodial Bambusa wamin Sympodial

91 22 Bambusa sp. Cv. maitang Sympodial Bambusa sp. Cv. mang-e-tho Sympodial Borinda grossa Sympodial Borinda sp.cv. shiang Sympodial Chimonobambusa armata Sympodial Chimonobambusa callosa Monopodial Chimonobambusa graffithina Sympodial Dendrocalamus asper Sympodial Dendrocalamus brandisii Cv. hebi. Sympodial Dendrocalamus calostachys Sympodial Dendrocalamus giganteus. Sympodial Dendrocalamus latiflorus Sympodial Dendrocalamus hamiltonii. Sympodial Denrocalamus hawaiensis Sympodial Dendrocalamus hookeri Sympodial Dendrocalamus strictus Sympodial Dendrocalamus sp Cv.halap. Sympodial Dinochloa compactiflora Sympodial Dinochloa sp. Cv. kara Sympodial Drepanostachyum annulatum Sympodial Drepanostachyum khasianum Sympodial Drepanostachyum microphyllum Sympodial Gigantochloa albociliata Sympodial

92 45 Guadua angustifolia Sympodial Himalayancalamus sp. Cv. nyunma Sympodial Melocana baccifera Monopodial Neomicrocalamus andropogonifolius Sympodial Neomicrocalamus prainii Sympodial Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv.pangsu pass Sympodial Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. tonsing Sympodial Ochlandra scriptoria Sympodial Ochlandra travancoria Sympodial Oxytenanthera abyssinica Sympodial Oxytenanthera purvifolia Sympodial Phyllostachy aurea Monopodial Phyllostachy glauca Monopodial Phyllostachy manii Monopodial Phyllostachys pubescens Monopodial Pleioblatus simonii Monopodial Pseodasassa japonica Sympodial Sasa fortuneii Sympodial Sinarundinaria falcata Sympodial Sinarundinaria hirsuta Monopodial Sinarundinaria intermedia Sympodial Sinarundinaria sp Cv. shili shi Sympodial Sinarundinaria sp. Cv. nyium Sympodial

93 68 Sinarundinaria sp. Cv. sanyium Sympodial Schizostachyum arunachalensis Sympodial Schizostachyum sp. Cv. geeta Sympodial Schizostachyum cpitatum Sympodial Schizostachyum dullooa Sympodial Schizostachyum fuchsianum Sympodial Schizostachyum helferii Sympodial Schizostachyum latifolium Sympodial Schizostachyum pergracile Sympodial Schizostachyum polymorphum Monopodial Schizostachyum seshagirianum Monopodial Thamnocalamus spathiflorus Sympodial Thamnocalamus sp. Cv. bomdila Sympodial Thyrostachys oliveri Sympodial Thyrostachys regia Sympodial Yushania gracilis Monopodial Yushania malling Monopodial Yushania microphylla Monopodial Yushania sp. Cv. Taj Monopodial Yushania sp. Cv. taer Monopodial Table-6: Yield per hectare (Dry weight) of different bamboo species Sl.No. Name of Bamboo species Monopodial/ Sympodial Yield per ha (in Kg) Yield Per ha (in tones) 73

94 1 Arundinaria racemosa Monopodial Bambusa affinis Sympodial Bambusa arundinacea Sympodial Bambusa assamica Sympodial Bambusa balcoa Sympodial Bambusa bambos Sympodial Bambusa cacharensis Sympodial Bambusa glaucescens Sympodial Bambusa goruchakua Sympodial Bambusa longispiculata Sympodial Bambusa multiplex Sympodial Bambusa nutans Sympodial Bambusa nana Sympodial Bambusa pallid Sympodial Bambusa pallida Cv. khonsa Sympodial Bambusa polymorpha Sympodial Bambusa tulda Sympodial Bambusa tulda Cv. gathia jati Sympodial Bambusa vulgaris Sympodial Bambusa vulgaris Cv. striata Sympodial Bambusa vulgaris Cv. wamin Sympodial Bambusa sp.cv. maitang Sympodial Bambusa sp. Cv. mang-e-tho Sympodial

95 24 Borinda grossa Sympodial Borinda sp. Cv. shiang Sympodial Chimonobambusa armata Sympodial Chimonobambusa callosa Monopodial Chimonobambusa graffithina Sympodial Dendrocalamus asper Sympodial Dendrocalamus brandisii Cv. hebi Sympodial Dendrocalamus calostachys Sympodial Dendrocalamus giganteus. Sympodial Dendrocalamus latiflorus Sympodial Dendrocalamus hamiltonii. Sympodial Denrocalamus sp. Cv. halap Sympodial Dendrocalamus hokerii Sympodial Dendrocalamus strictus Sympodial Dendrocalamus sp. Cv. hawaiensis. Sympodial Dinochloa compactiflora Sympodial Dinochloa sp. Cv. kara Sympodial Drepanostachyum anulatum Sympodial Drepanostachyum khasianum Sympodial Drepanostachyum microphyllum Sympodial Gigantochloa albociliata Sympodial Guadua angustifolia Sympodial Himalayancalamus sp. Cv. nyunma Sympodial

96 47 Melocana baccifera Monopodial Neomicrocalamus andropogonifolius Sympodial Neomicrocalamus prainii Sympodial Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. pangsu pass Sympodial Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. tonsing Sympodial Ochlandra scriptoria Sympodial Ochlandra travancoria Sympodial Oxytenanthera abyssinica Sympodial Oxytenanthera purvifolia Sympodial Phyllostachy aurea Monopodial Phyllostachy glauca Monopodial Phyllostachy manii Monopodial Phyllostachys pubescens Monopodial Pleioblatus simonii Monopodial Pseodasassa japonica Sympodial Sasa fortune Sympodial Sinarundinaria falcate Sympodial Sinarundinaria hirsute Monopodial Sinarundinaria intermedia Sympodial Sinarundinaria sp Cv. shili shi Sympodial Sinarundinaria sp. Cv. nyium Sympodial Sinarundinaria sp. Cv. sanyium Sympodial Schizostachyum arunachalensis Sympodial

97 70 Schizostachyum capitatum Sympodial Schizostachyum dullooa Sympodial Schizostachyum fuchsianum Sympodial Schizostachyum helferii Sympodial Schizostachyum latifoliumi Sympodial Schizostachyum pergacile Sympodial Schizostachyum polymorphum Monopodial Schizostachyum seshgirinium Monopodial Schizostachyum sp. Cv. geeta Sympodial Thamnocalamus spathiflorus Sympodial Thamnocalamus sp. Cv. bomdila Sympodial Thyrostachys oliveri Sympodial Thyrostachys regia Sympodial Yushania gracilis Monopodial Yushania malling Monopodial Yushania microphylla Monopodial Yushania sp. Cv. taj Monopodial Yushania sp.cv. taer Monopodial An analysis of comparisons of the data from above table shows significant variation in the yield and productivity of different bamboos. Among the monopodial, highest fresh weight yield was recorded in Phyllostachys pubescens ( tones/hectare) including economic and non-economic parts, followed by Phyllostachys manii ( tones/hectare) while the lowest fresh biomass yield productivity was recorded in Arundinaria racemosa ( 2.36 tones/hectare) followed by Sinarundinaria hirsuta ( 2.80 tones/hectare), respectively. Also the highest dry biomass yield productivity was recorded in Phyllostachys pubescens ( tones/hectare) followed by Phyllostachys manii ( tones/hectare) whereas the lowest dry biomass yield productivity was 77

98 recorded in Arundinaria racemosa ( 1.60 tones/hectare) followed by Sinarundinaria hirsuta ( 1.72 tones/hectare), respectively. Furthermore, within the sympodial, the highest fresh weight yield was found in Bambusa bambos ( tones/hectare) followed by Guadua angustifolia ( tones/hectare) whereas, the fresh biomass yield productivity was minimum in Thamnocalamus spathiflorus ( tones/hectare) and Yushania malling ( tones/hectare), as shown in table. The highest dry biomass yield productivity was recorded in Guadua angustifolia ( tones/hectare) followed by Bambusa polymorpha ( tones/hectare) and the lowest dry yield productivity was recorded in Thamnocalamus spathiflorus ( 9.75 tones/hectare) and Thamnocalamus sp. Cv. bomdila ( tones/hectare), respectively. It was also seen from the above data, that among the shrub types, the highest fresh biomass yield productivity was recorded in Bambusa glaucescens ( tones/hectare) followed by Pseodsasa japonica ( tones/hectare) whereas fresh biomass yield productivity was minimum in Arundinaria racemosa ( 2.36 tones/hectare) followed by Sinarundinaria hirsuta ( 2.80 tones/hectare). Further, the highest dry biomass yield productivity was recorded in Pseodsasa japonica ( tones/hectare) followed by Sasa fortunii ( tones/hectare) and the lowest dry yield productivity was recorded in Arundinaria racemosa ( 1.60 tones/hectare) followed by Sinarundinaria hirsuta ( 1.72 tones/hectare), respectively. Above table also indicates that among the reed type, the highest fresh yield productivity was recorded in Ochlandra scriptoria ( tones/hectare) followed by Phyllostachys manii ( tones/hectare) where as, it was minimum in Phyllostachys glauca ( tones/hectare) and Phyllostachys aurea ( tones/hectare). Similarly, the highest dry biomass yield productivity was recorded in Ochlandra travancoria ( tones/hectare) followed by Ochlandra scriptoria ( tones/hectare) whereas, the lowest dry yield productivity was recorded in Phyllostachys glauca ( 5.50 tones/hectare) and Phyllostachys aurea ( 7.00 tones/hectare), respectively. Among the arborescent (tree) types, the highest fresh yield productivity was found in Bambusa bamboos ( tones/hectare) followed by Guadua angustifolia ( tones/hectare) while, the lowest fresh biomass yield productivity was found in Melocana baccifera ( tones/hectare) and Schizostachyum latifolium ( tones/hectare), as shown in the table 7. The highest dry biomass yield productivity was recorded in Guadua angustifolia ( tones/hectare) followed by Bambusa polymorpha ( tones/hectare) whereas, the lowest dry yield productivity was recorded in Melocana baccifera ( tones/hectare) followed by Schizostachyum latifolium ( tones/hectare). The highest fresh yield and productivity among the climbers from table was recorded in Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. pangsau pass ( tones/hectare) followed by Neomicrocalamus andropogonifolius ( tones/hectare) while the lowest fresh biomass yield productivity was found in Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. tonsing ( tones/hectare) followed by Schizostachyum helferii ( tones/hectare). Also, the highest dry yield productivity was recorded in Neomicrocalamus andropogonifolius ( tones/hectare) followed by Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. pangsau pass ( tones/hectare) whereas the lowest dry yield productivity was recorded in Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. tonsing ( tones/hectare) followed by Schizostachyum helferii ( tones/hectare), respectively. 78

99 Table 7: Showing details of highest and lowest productivity of different bamboo species. Nature of bamboo I. Based on the type of rhizome i. Monopodial Fresh weight (Highest) 1. Phyllostachys pubescens 2. Phyllostachys manii (Lowest) 1. Arundinaria racemosa 2. Sinarundinaria hirsuta Dry weight (Highest) 1. Phyllostachys pubescens 2. Phyllostachys manii (Lowest) 1. Arundinaria racemosa 2. Sinarundinaria hirsuta Productivity (in tones per hectare) ii. Sympodial Bamboos Fresh weight (Highest) 1. Bambusa bambos 2. Guadua angustifolia (Lowest) 1. Thamnocalamus spathiflorus 2. Bambusa affinis Dry weight (Highest) 1. Guadua angustifolia

100 2. Bambusa polymorpha (Lowest) 1. Thamnocalamus spathiflorus 2. Thamnocalamus sp. Cv. bomdila II. Based on the nature of growth i. Shrub type Fresh weight (Highest) 1. Bambusa glaucescens 2. Pseodasassa japonica (Lowest) 1. Arundinaria racemosa 2. Sinarundinaria hirsuta Dry weight (Highest) 1. Pseodasassa japonica 2. Sasa fortuneii (Lowest) 1. Arundinaria racemosa 2. Sinarundinaria hirsuta ii. Reed type Fresh weight (Highest) 1. Ochlandra scriptoria 2. Phyllostachys manii (Lowest) 1. Phyllostachys glauca 2. Phyllostachys aurea Dry weight

101 (Highest) 1. Ochlandra travancoria 2. Ochlandra scriptoria (Lowest) 1. Phyllostachys glauca 2. Phyllostacys aurea iii. Arborescent type Fresh weight (Highest) 1. Bambusa bamboos 2. Guadua angustifolia (Lowest) 1. Melocana becifera 2. Schizostachyum latifolium Dry weight (Highest) 1. Guadua angustifolia 2. Bambusa polymorpha (Lowest) 1. Melocana baccifera 2. Schizostachyum latifolium iv. Climber type Fresh weight (Highest) 1. Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. pangsu pass 2. Neomicrocalamus andropogonifolius (Lowest) 1. Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. tonsing 2. Schizostachyum helferii

102 Dry weight (Highest) 1. Neomicrocalamus andropogonifolius 2. Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. pangsu pass (Lowest) 1. Neomicrocalamus sp. Cv. tonsing 2. Schizostachyum helferii Conclusions The biomass of bamboos varies from 0.04 to kg/culm, including economic and non-economic parts respectively. Also, the economic part showed maximum biomass content ranging from 0.01 to kg/culm, in comparison to non-economic parts. The difference in the biomass content has been due to the nature of their growth, say for instance, lowest biomass content was recorded in Arundinaria racemosa (0.04 kg/culm) which is an shruby bamboo, whereas, highest biomass content was recorded in Dendrocalamus latiflorus (75.77 kg/culm) which is an arborescent bamboo. Further, the fresh yield of bamboos per hectare varies from 2.36 to tons/ha while dry yield and productivity ranges between 1.60 to tons/ha, depending upon intensity of stocking and biotic interferences. The highest fresh yield productivity was recorded in Bambusa bambos tones/ha, an arborescent bamboo, while lowest fresh yield productivity was found in Arundinaria racemosa (2.36 tons/ha). Also, highest dry yield productivity was found in Guadua angustifolia ( tons/ha), whereas, it was low in Arundinaria racemosa (1.60 tons/ha). In general, biomass and productivity are interrelated; the presence of maximum biomass content determines the highest yield and productivity. But in case of Dendrocalamus latiflorus (75.77 kg/culm) and Dendrocalamus giganteus (70.28 kg/culm), it was revealed that despite showing highest biomass content the yield productivity was found to be lower than that of Bambusa bambos due to their lesser plant density per hectares because of larger spacing and presence of few numbers of culms per clump. Thus, it can be concluded that productivity per hectare is not only determined by the biomass but also by its intensity of stocking or presence of number of culms per clump and spacing. Expected Total Bamboo Consumption in Arunachal Pradesh In addition to yield of different bamboo species per hectare in tones, the total expected bamboo consumption in the state has also been worked out by considering total bamboo area (Mixed bamboo forest 4590 Sq. Km, FSI- 2005) and (Pure bamboo patches 326 Sq. Km, NESAC- 2007) with total population of (13, 82,611, census 2011) and present bamboo industry scenario in the state. It was assumed that 35 Nos. of bamboos are consumed by single person assuming and considering that 5 lakhs populations are directly or indirectly using bamboo for their livelihood 82

103 purposes. The average weight of each bamboo has also been assumed at 30 Kg. Therefore present expected consumption rate has been derived by the authors as follows: Formula: CRXEPXWT= x tonnes Where, 35 X 5, 00,000 X 30 = 5250 tonnes i.e. 0.5 million tones. CR = Consumption rate/ person/year EP = Expected population using bamboo WT = Weight per bamboo (in average) The consumption rate may vary from time to time depending on various factors such as demand and supply, industrial growth, etc. REFERENCES Allen, S.E, Grimshaw, H.M, Parkinsoa, J.A and Quarmby,C. (1974) Chemical Analysis of Ecological materials, Blackwell Scientific publications. Oxford UK 565 p. Adarsh Kumar, Dhawan,M. and Gupta,B.B.(1988). Vegetative propagation of Bambusa tulda using growth promoting substances.indian Forester,114(9): Anderson, J.M and Ingram, J.S.I (1993) Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility: A handboos of Methods, C.A.B. International walling ford, UK 240 p. Anonymous (1994). A compendium of Chinese Bamboo, China Forestry publishing house, pp 8-9. Anonymous ( 2010) Metrological observation data recorded from Jan 2008 to Dec 2011 at ICAR, Basar Arunachal Pradesh. Anonymous (2007) Bamboo resource mapping of Arunachal Pradesh, NESAC Shillong, Meghalaya 2007 Anonymous (2005), State of Forest Report, 2005 FSI Dehra Dun. Barooah, C. and Borthakur, S.K. (2003). Diversity and Distribution of Bamboos in Assam. Published by Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun, India Bhuyan, L.R., Taj, R.K., Sinha, G.N., Murtem, G. and Dopum, J. (2007). Commercially Important Bamboo species of Arunachal Pradesh. SFRI Information Bulletin No. 20. Chandrashekara, U.M., Krishnankutty, C.N. and Gnanaharan, (2008).Bamboo cultivation in homegardens of Kerela, India. International Conference on Improvement of Bamboo Productivity and Marketing for sustainable Livelihood, April, 2008, New Delhi-pp Chandrashekara, U.M.(1996). Ecology of Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Wild growing in teak plantations of Kerala, India. For. Ecol. Manag., 87:

104 Divakara, B.N., Kumar,B.M., Balachandran, P.V. and Kamalam, N.V.(2001). Bamboo hedgegrow system in Kerala, India, Root distribution and competition with trees for phosphorous. Agroforest.Syst.,51: Forest Survey of India, (1999). State of Forest Report 1999, Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Dehra Dun. Isagi, Y., Kawahara, T., Kamo, K. and Ito, H. (1997). Net Production and carbon cycling in a bamboo Phyllostachys pubescens stand. Plant Ecology. 1997, 130: Kishwan Jagdish and Nautiyal Subhash (2008) Cultivation, stand management and harvesting of bamboo. International Conference on Improvement of Bamboo Productivity and Marketing for sustainable Livelihood, April, 2008, New Delhi-pp-5. Kershaw, A.K. (1973) Quantitative and Dynamic Plant Ecology. Edward Arnold, London, 308 p. Kumar, B.M., Rajesh, G. and Sudeesh, K.G.(2005). Aboveground biomass production and nutrient uptake of thorny bamboo [Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss] in the homegardens of Thrissur, Kerala. Journal of Tropical Agriculture. 2005, 43: Kumar, B.M. (1997). Bamboo in the home garden of Kerala: a shrinking resource base. J. Non Timber For. Products 4(3/4) ) Lin Yiming, Li Huicong, Linpeng, Xiao Xiantan and Ma Zhanxing(2000). Biomass Structure and Energy Distribution of Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro. Population. Journal of Bamboo Research. 2000, 19: Naithani, H.B. (1993). Contributions to the Taxonomic Studies of Indian Bamboos. Ph.D.Thesis, Vol. I. H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal. Salam K. (2009). Cane & Bamboo news, Vol.II, Issue 6. Scurlock, J.M.O., Dayton, D.C. and Hames,B.(2000), Bamboo: an overlooked biomass resource ORNL/TM-1999/264. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 34p. Seethallakshmi, K.K. and Muktesh Kumar, M.S. (1998). Bamboos of India. Bamboo Information Centre, India; KFRI, Peechi & International Network for Bamboo and Rattan. Seethalakshmi,K.K., Venkatesh,C.S. and Surendren,T. (1983). Vegetative propagation of bamboos using growth promoting substances in Bambusa balcoa Roxb. Indian Journ.For. 6(2): Sharma, S.N. (1988). Seasoning behaviour and related properties of some Indian species of bamboo, Indian Forester, 114(10): Sharma, Y.M.L(1987). Production and utilization of bamboo and related species in south Asian Region in the rural sector. Indian For. 114: (1987). Shanmughavel, P. and Francis, K Aboveground biomass production and nutrient distribution in growing bamboo [Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss]. Biomass Bioenrg., 10: Shanmughavel,P and Francis,K.(1997), Balance and turnover of nutrients in a bamboo plantation ( Bambusa bambos) of different ages. Bot Fertil Soils (1997) 25:

105 Sinha, G.N. (2008). Forest and Forestry in Arunachal Pradesh. SFRI Information Bulletin No. 27: 2-5. Stapleton Chris (1994). Bamboos of Bhutan. The Royal Botanic Garden, Kew. Ted Jordan Meredith Bamboo for Gardens published by Timber press, Inc.:75-89 Wen Taihui (1994) The Taxonomy and cultivation of Chimonobambusa, Makino. The Journal of American Bamboo Society Vol-II, Pp-12 Xiao Jianghua (2003). Monopodial Bamboo cultivation in China, Proceedings of 2003 workshop on Bamboo cultivation, processing and production technologies,its administration and tools and small machines,

106 Dendrocalamus stocksii a valuable bamboo species grown on private lands in Konkan region of Maharashtra. The species Sanjeev Karpe, Director, Konkan Bamboo & Cane Development Centre - KONBAC Bhogatecompound,Kudal- SawantwadiRoad, Udaymnagar, Kudal Dist. Sindhudurg, Maharashtra State, Pin Tele : , Cell sanjeev.cibart@gmail.com Dendrocalamus stocksii known as Managa in Sindhudurg Dist. of Maharashtra, is an important bamboo species and is grown on farmlands by farmers. It is a graceful mid-sized non-thorny bamboo species with loosely spaced semi-solid erect culms, which provides flexibility in harvesting and steady income to farmers.this is an extremely manageable species with great economic importance as well as large scale utilization potential due to its typical anatomical characteristics like the presence of non- predominant nodes, solid nature and good culm wall thickness. This species is mainly found in Central Western Ghats from Kerala to Maharashtra. It is planted as a component of homegardens or as pure block plantation. In homegardens, it is usually present as live fences or on farm boundaries. The culm diameter and height of the emerging culms increases initially and attains stability in 3 to 4 years with the new emerging culms having the same diameter thereafter. Culms attain a height of about 9m with a basal diameter ranging from 25-58mm with an internode length of 15-30cm. The mature culm is smooth and without hairs as compared to young culms which are covered with dense white or grey deciduous closely matted fine hairs. The culms are light green, loosely spaced and thorn less. The culms are usually solid at the base (up to sixth or seventh node) and even up to more than half the culm height unlike culms of other bamboo species. Hollowness may be more pronounced towards the tip of the culm. The leaves are 10-20cm long and 1-2cm broad.the culms usually produce few small branches at the node. Self-pruning is found in the lower portion of the culm up to fifth or sixth node from the base. This species usually has a sporadic flowering pattern. Uses This bamboo is use as component of various agricultural implements, as stakessupport-/prop in agriculture and as a live fence. It is also used for scaffolding, pulp and paper, crafts, construction, making baskets, umbrella handles, walking sticks, as navigation tool in country boats. RAISING PLANTATIONS Offset planting is the traditional and most common method of planting in D. stocksii. New shoots appear in the first or second season. It takes about 3-4 seasons for good sized culms to develop. Planting offsets gives a high rate of success but the major drawback is that a well grown clump from which it is to be taken may yield only 4-5 offsets. The spacing used for this species is usually 4 x 4 m. In commercial cultivation, because of its specific culm characteristics like erect nature, less number of side branches, solid nature with small culm diameter, nowadays this species is grown at higher density of 1000 clumps per hectare. Planting is done in June with the onset of monsoon. 86

107 PROPAGATION Seed setting is almost nil in this species. Vegetative propagation by signal nodal method has been the practical and time tested method of propagation of this species. ECONOMICS Normally culm extraction is done from November to May and inputs like fertilization and irrigation is not provided by farmers. An initial expenditure of around 1.0 lakhs is incurred per hectare. Returns starts from the fourth year onwards through selective harvesting of two year old culms. D.stocksii produces around 10 culms in the fourth year and around 15 culms from the fifth year onwards per clump. Average 10 culms/clump is harvested from fourth year onwards.the harvested culms is trimmed to get poles of 20 feet length which are readily sold at the rate of Rs.50/ to 80/- per pole in local market.from a commercial plantation, revenue of Rs.2 to 3 lakhsper hectare is generated from the fourth year onwards. When inputs like fertilization and irrigation are given farmers gets production of around 15 culms/clump/year and annual income of 3 to 4 lac from the fourth year onwards. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES Advantages Non thorny nature Loosely spaced culms permits easy harvesting of culms and management of clumps. Non predominant nodes Solid culms, resulting less end splitting or cracking like other hollow bamboo species. Self pruning of lower branches permits easiness in harvesting and processing Only sporadic flowering, hence less chance of entire growing stock getting depleted. In commercial cultivation, because of its specific culm characteristics like erect nature, less number of side branches and solid and narrow culm diameter, this species can be grown at higher density. Disadvantages No seed formation, The culm height and diameter less compared to other mid-sized bamboo species Variation in culm diameter. 87

108 ABSTRACT Bamboo Technology : India Status S. K. Nath and V.K Chawla IPIRTI, Bangalore. Bamboo is emerging as an important plant material alternative to wood required for panels and other sheet material, sawn wood including wood required for match splints, due to the growing shortage of industrial wood and also associated policy changes in recent years. As a result of R&D efforts, a number of technology have been developed by utilizing bamboo as a principal raw material for the manufacture of bamboo mat board (BMB), Bamboo mat veneer composite(bmvc) as alternate to plywood, bamboo mat moulded products like trays are an ideal substitutes for metals & plastics. Bamboo mat corrugated sheets (BMCS) is emerging as an alternate to corrugated sheets based on metals, asbestos-cement which are considered to be energy intensive as well as health hazardous. Bamboo splints for match sticks can replace wooden match sticks. Bamboo laminates and bamboo strip board for which laboratory/pilot scale technologies developed have great potential for their utilization in place of sawn wood products as well as structural panels particularly in transport vehicle. However, sustained efforts are required for its adoption for commercial production requiring technological back up, training activities and creating awareness about the importance of these composites based on bamboo among various section of people for its promotion including marketing policies and financial support for commercialization of these technologies. INTRODUCTION India is the second most populated country in the world. With only about 1% of the world s forests, India supports 15% of world s human population and 16% of cattle population. The increasing needs of growing population and environmental awareness have put severe restrictions on management of forest resources. This has resulted in shortage of wood required in housing, transport and other sectors. Several non- wood alternatives like metal and plastics also have serious limitations on account of non-sustainability, high-energy requirements and non-bio-degradability. In this situation there is an urgent need for development of sustainable and environment friendly wood alternates. Bamboo, a fast growing giant grass, found in abundance in India and several other countries in tropics as well in subtropical and temperate regions except Europe, is emerging as a highly potential natural and renewable material to fill the void. India has the second largest resource of bamboo both in terms of diversity and distribution (about 13% of the forests or app. 10 million ha.). India accounts for around 120 of about 1250 species of bamboo found in the world. Of this only 30 species are commercially important. Apart from being available in natural forests bamboo is also raised as plantations, both pure and as under planting, and also in homesteads. Bamboo is also suitable for restoration of degraded forest and other wastelands as well as of abandoned shifting cultivated areas. Bamboo, a fast growing, quick maturing woody grass is an important cultural feature in many parts of India. Since the beginning of the civilization bamboo has played an important part in daily lives of people in India. Bamboo craft is one of the oldest cottage industries primarily due to versatility, strength, lightness, easy workability of bamboo with simple hand tools. Bamboo has been put to use for various applications ranging from construction to household utilities and have 88

109 more than 1000 documented uses including an important industrial use in paper and pulp manufacture. Due to plethora of essential uses, it has been aptly described as "poor man's timber", "green gold", friend of people", "the cradle to coffin timber", Green Gasoline. Relevance of bamboo based panels In the Nineteen Eighties, guided by dwindling wood supplies in the tropics, interest on bamboo as a alternate material has intensified resulting in its emergence as potentially the most important nonwood renewable fibre to replace wood in construction and other uses. The realization that bamboo produces wood bio-mass faster than many fast growing timber and that some of its physical and mechanical properties are superior to wood available from fast growing plantation species like Eucalyptus, Poplar, Acacea, has evoked keen interest in bamboo growing countries and elsewhere on theoretical and applied research on bamboo based products to replace wood in housing, furniture, packaging, transport sectors. Some earlier studies have revealed that bamboo in panel form is best suited to substitute wood and therefore development/refinement of cost effective technologies to produce bamboo based panels is now identified as an extremely important area of research. The environmental and socio-economic implication of bamboo based panel industries also favours their promotion on priority. Classification of bamboo based panels Bamboo based panels can be broadly classified into three groups. Bamboo Mat Composites 1] Bamboo Mat Board 2] Bamboo Mat Veneer Composites 3] Bamboo Mat Corrugated Sheet 4] Bamboo Mat Moulded Trays Strip Based Composites 1] Bamboo Curtain Board 2] Bamboo Strip Board (or) Bamboo Plywood 3] Laminated Floor Board 4] Parallel Glulam 5] Parallel Cured Gluccam 6] Bamboo Net Board (or) Bamboo Block Board 7] Bamboo Zephyr Board (or) Bamboo Semi fibre Board 8] Bamboo Moulded Shuttle 9] Bamboo Picking Stick Panels Based on Culms converted into Particles, Strands and Fibre 89

110 A PARTICLES Particle Board bonded with synthetic resins mineral binders B STRANDS Oriented Strand Board [OSB] C FIBRE Fibre Board 1. Insulation Board 2. Hard board by Dry process and Wet process Medium Density [MDF] Fibre In addition to above, technologies are available based on bamboo strips. They are given below: Stick Based Products Agarbathi sticks Tooth pick Ice cream sticks Match splints Technologies developed at IPIRTI The following are the technologies developed at IPIRTI and some of which have already been commercialized and some are in pipeline. Bamboo Mat Board Use of any new material depends upon its suitability for various applications vis-a-vis the materials already in use. Development of appropriate application technology plays an important role in acceptance of any new material. BMB is essentially a layered composite comprising several layers of woven mats having excellent internal bond strength, and are resistant to decay, insects and termite attack. They have physical and mechanical properties at par with waterproof plywood and are fire resistant. Their mechanical properties depend upon the material used for making mats, i.e. bamboo slivers, the weaving pattern and the adhesive used for bonding. However, these properties can be altered by changing the weaving pattern of bamboo slivers used in mat making used for making board in order to get required values for MOR, MOE, Tensile strength etc., Thus, it can be inferred that the strength and stiffness of BMB is related to the weaving pattern of the mats. However, modulus of rigidity (MOR) or shear modulus of BMB in the plane of the board is very high and is comparable to the required values for structural plywood as per Indian Specifications IS: It is interesting to note that MOR of BMB far exceeds that of both structural plywood and wood. This is attributable to the herringbone weave pattern. Clearly, BMB 90

111 has high in-plane rigidity and hence high racking strength and is more flexible than equivalent plywood. This property of BMB can be advantageously used in many engineering applications. In fact BMB has been found to be especially useful as sheathing material in structural and semi structural uses such as walling, partitions, roof sheeting [16], door skins, box furniture, built up hollow beams, gussets, containers [14]. Investigations have also been undertaken at the IPIRTI regarding suitability of BMB for manufacture of secondary parts of aircraft and gliders as substitute for speciality plywood made from Dysoxylum malabaricum and Palaquirn ellipticum (17). BMB meet all the requirements prescribed in the relevant Indian specifications and have in fact much higher cross sectional shear strength compared to plywood. Bamboo Mat Veneer Composite In BMVC, wood veneers are placed in between the layers of bamboo mats. The properties of BMVC depend upon the mechanical properties of wood veneers that are placed in between bamboo mat layers, in addition to the properties of the bamboo mats and the adhesives used in bonding. Investigations have shown that strength of a panel made by plantation timber is substantially enhanced when made in combination with bamboo mats. MOE and MOR of BMVC are higher than equivalent plywood and this depends on the number of layers of veneers for a given thickness of BMVC. Due to the presence of woven bamboo mats, BMVC has different mechanical properties along and across the length of the board The properties are comparable to that of structural plywood. Hence for all practical purposes BMVC can be used in a similar way to plywood for structural applications. BMVC will be economical in higher thickness as compared to BMB. Bamboo Mat Moulded Products Considering the flexibility of bamboo mats due to Herring-Bone weave pattern, an idea was mooted to produce moulded products like trays in various forms like rectangular, round, as well in different sizes. A process was developed including the moulds to produce such products get them in finished form which can be subsequently finished with coating materials to enhance the appearance and acceptability by the consumers. The moulded products like trays, were found to be highly durable and leak proof which can be conveniently used for various applications like the ones based on metals, plastics etc. The technology for the manufacture of Bamboo mat tray has been transferred to 2 units one in Pune and the other in Bangalore. Bamboo Mat Corrugated Sheets The idea of development of corrugated sheets was a result of development of bamboo mat moulded products like trays to enhance stiffness for the BMB developed through corrugation techniques. Roofing materials such as asbestos cement corrugated sheeting (ACCS), corrugated fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs). Corrugated aluminium sheeting (CAS), corrugated galvanized iron sheeting (CGIS) which have been established for more than several decades, are being subjected to scientific scrutiny on several counts, including their impact on workers health and environment, the energy requirement for their manufacture, and sustainable supply of raw materials. Of late priority is being given, and rightly so to green building materials, based on renewable resources. Scaling up of the pilot scale technology for its industrial adoption has been successfully carried out under a project 91

112 funded by Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India. The shape and area under the loaddeflection curves (Fig.1) of various corrugated roofing materials, namely BMCS, ACCS, CGIS and CAS, clearly bring out the comparative advantage of BMCS over other corrugated materials. The comparative strength properties of BMCS with other existing roofing sheets are given in Table I. Bureau of Indian Standards has brought out a standard on the specification of Bamboo Mat Corrugated Sheets for roofing [IS: ] Fig.1 Table 1. Strength Properties of BMCS in comparison with other existing Roofing Sheets Thickness mm Width in mm Max Load, N Load bearing capacity in N/mm Weight sheet(2.44m 1.05m)in kgs of x BMCS [4 layers] GI Sheet Aluminium sheet ACCS A few demonstration structures have been put up in several parts of the country by utilizing BMCS developed and produced at Institute pilot plant. The process of BMCS has been standardized and the plant has been commissioned for commercial production of BMCS. Commercially available coating compositions have also been evolved to ensure the durability of BMCS. Some demonstration structures are under observation and is reported that the demand for such sheets are 92

113 steadily increasing presumably based on the advantages over their counterparts. A joint patent with BMTPC has already been applied for. Bamboo Match Sticks Development of appropriate process for manufacturing matchsticks from bamboo had also been taken up under a project in collaboration with INBAR. Matchstick making from bamboo is highly relevant due to the scarcity of timbers generally used for this purpose. The lops and tops of the bamboo left over in the handicraft sector can also be used for making match splints and also the top portion of the bamboo which is discarded in mat making activity can be made use of for match splints. A special treatment is given to improve the burning property. Waxing and head fixing formulations are similar to that of wooden match sticks The technology developed can replace wooden match splints and the cost of the final product will be cheaper by 20 25%. A joint patent with INBAR has already been applied for. Bamboo Mat Overlaid Particle Board Processes have been developed for overlaying wood/rice husk particle boards with bamboo mats. The overlaying is found to improve physical & mechanical properties of the boards as well as the appearance. The bamboo mat overlaid particle boards may be suitable even for semi structural applications. The results obtained from bamboo mat overlaid wood particle board in comparison with the data on wood particle boards indicated that water absorption and swelling properties of bamboo mat overlaid wood particle board improved considerably enhancing the durability of such panels even under adverse climatic conditions. Mechanical strength properties of wood particle board increased considerably due to bamboo mat overlaying. eg: MOR over 150%, MOE over 65% and screw holding power by around 50% suggesting the utilization of BMWPB for enlarged end use applications. Water absorption and swelling properties of BMRHP's improved over 100% indicating the durability of such panels even under adverse climatic conditions. Mechanical strength properties of RHPB increased considerably due to bamboo mat overlaying eg: MOR: over 115%; MOE: over 60%: Screw holding power by 60% suggesting the utilization of BMRHB for enlarged end use applications. Bamboo Wood Development of appropriate technologies for the manufacture of both horizontal and vertical laminates using synthetic resin like UF, MUF and PF resins have been developed. Design and Development of machinery for exerting side pressure for making laminates has also been made. Preliminary tests carried out on these laminates shows that it is superior to plantation timbers. End use application such as furniture, other household component and flooring have been developed and put to use. Bamboo Strip Board Laboratory scale technology has been developed to make Bamboo strip boards from bamboo strips under institute project. The developmental work was limited to laboratory scale of size 45cm x 45cm. The panel developed poses high strength, stiffness and rigidity. It is characterized by resistance to deformation, abrasion and weathering. Its bending strength properties are superior to wood panel and therefore application potential, particularly as platform boards, vehicle platforms, transport floorings etc., are envisaged. 93

114 Conclusion The bamboo based composite technology has attracted attention of a number of entrepreneurs and few industries have already been set up in the country. However, positive policy and technological initiatives are necessary to accelerate the use of bamboo mat composites including encouraging their use in public sector where currently wood is banned, development of application techniques for various end products and evolution of code particularly in housing, construction, transport; dissemination of information about their utility through demonstration and exhibitions. Considering the vast social and environmental implications and employment potential, a policy thrust at national level is necessary for development of bamboo resources in general and promotion of bamboo composites in particular. As a first step, Government has already given a favorable push by exempting bamboo composites from excise duty. Eco-labeling of the products will also help promote exports. Every new technology requiring further processing to manufacture end products requires continued R&D support during its commercialization to solve problems which may come up during transfer of technology from lab to factory. The technologies for BMB, BMVC, BMCS and bamboo-based housing are no exception to this. In fact, they need such support even more due to natural variation in the characteristics of the main raw material, bamboo, associated with different species available in different areas/regions and different level of skills in bamboo mat weaving in various tribal/rural groups. References A. K. Bansal, Project preparation and appraisal for bio-mass-based industry, presented at the Training Program on Industrial Project Preparation and Appraisal with Special Focus on Building Materials Sector, organized by Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Ahmedabad, International Centre for Advancement of Manufacturing Technology, Bangalore, and Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council. New Delhi, Ahmedabad (2000). A. K. Bansal and K. Damodaran, Wood products research in India a perspective for the next decade, in: Proceedings of the Regional Seminar on 'Asia Pacific Forestry Research Vision 2010', organized by APAFRI, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp (1999) (ISBN ). (Republished in Wood News (April-June) (1999). C. F. Yee, C. H. Lo and C. B. H wang. Plybamboo, Teclin. Rep. Bur. Aeronaut. Res., Chengtu, No. 26, p. 52, (1945). Forestry Abstracts 10 (1), No. 366(1948). P.M.Ganapathy, Z. Huan-Ming, S.S.Zoolagud, D.Turcke and Z.B.Espiloy. Bamboo panel boards: a state of the art review, INBAR Technical Report No. 12(ISBN ) (115pp.) (1999). D. Narayanamurthi and B.S. Bist, Building Boards from bamboo. Indian Forest Records New Series, Composite wood 1 (2),48 (1963). IPIRTI Development of improved and new products from bamboo mats, Technical report of the project sponsored by the All India Handicrafts Board (100pp.) (1983). IPIRTI, Bamboo mat board (India) 3-p , Final Technical Report (188pp.) (1993). 94

115 S.S.Zoolagud and T.S.Rangaraju, An improved and economical process for manufacture of bamboo mat board in : proceedings : IV International bamboo Workshop, Changmai, Thailand, pp.1-4 (1991). S.S.Zoolagud and T.S.Rangaraju, Bamboo Mat board manufacture in : Proceedings of National Workshop on Bamboo Mat Board, IPIRTI, Bangalore, India pp (1993). A.K.Bansal and S.S.Zoolagud, Bamboo based composites- background paper for All India Seminar on Bamboo Development, organized by UNIDO and GOI at New Delhi (15pp.) (1999) (unpublished). Bamboo Mat Board India, in Projects Around the World of Expo 2000, International projects, Vol 2 published by EXPO 2000, Hannover, GmbH, pp (2000). A.K.Bansal. H.N.Jagadeesh and H.Guruva Reddy, Bamboo based housing system, semiar document of the National Seminar Waves of the Furture Civil Engineering in the 21 st Century organized by the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India) at Bangalore. Pp (2001). IPIRTI, Status of bamboo housing technology developed at IPIRTI, IPIRTI Miscellaneous Report, 1/2001 (13pp.) (2001). H.N.Jagadeesh H.Guruva Reddy and A.K.Bansal, Affordable and earthquake resistant houses from bamboo, in International Workshop on Engineered Bamboo Housing for Earthquake prone areas, FRI, Dehradun, India (1998). IPIRTI, Wood Substitutes (India) CF, , Final Technical Report (105pp.) (2000) (unpublished). K.Damodaran and H.N.Jagadeesh, Potential applications of bamboo mat board, in : IPIRTI, Proceedings of National Workshop on Bamboo Mat Boards, pp 22-26(1993). M.V.Naidu, K.Shyamsundar and B.S.Aswathanarayana, Suitability of bamboo mat Board for secondary structural parts of aircrafts and gliders, J.Aeronautical Soc. India 51, (1998). BIS, Indian standard bamboo mat board for general purposes Specification. IS: 13958, Bureau of Indian Standards (8pp.) (1994). BIS, Indian standard bamboo mat Veneer Composites for general purposes Specification IS: Bureau of Indian Standards (8pp.) (1999). 95

116 Bamboo productivity in forest and non-forest areas M.S.Haque Consultant, NABARD Consultancy services, Mumbai mail: In India bamboo is known as the poor man s timber while in China, bamboo is considered as a friend of the human being and in Vietnam, it is called brothers. This shows how we have treated bamboo over the years. In spite of large number of species available in the country (more than 125), no attention has been paid for their genetic improvement for enhancing productivity, either by hybridization or by selection. The Forest Departments which control the production, sale and movement of bamboo have neglected these tree crops, because they are still considered as a minor forest produce. Of late, because of China s stupendous success with Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens), Indian bamboo is receiving some attention. Moso has revolutionized bamboo sector in China both in terms of productivity and marketing of new generation green products throughout the world. Before undertaking scientific research, Moso s productivity was only 1.5 MT culms and 0.5 MT of fresh shoots. But today with improved cultivation techniques and using high yielding varieties, the yield has increased to ten times i.e. 15 MT culms and 1.5 MT shoots. In India, in spite of recent positive development, the availability of an improved clone or hybrid for higher productivity is a distant dream, since no worthwhile research has been undertaken in this direction. Commercially successful bamboos in India are mainly species of Dendrocalamus and Bambusa.With the approval of the National Bamboo Mission ( NBM) in October, 2006 by Govt. of India, with financial outlay of Rs crore, it is assumed that some genetic improvement research has been undertaken to enhance productivity. Although Forest departments and Forest Development Corporations (FDCs) were raising bamboo on degraded forest lands and farmers had also started raising bamboo on farmlands, scientific and systematic cultivation of bamboo is a recent trend. Traditionally, bamboos had been used as raw materials by paper industries. Since no stress was given for raising plantations and improving productivity, bamboo availability became less and the industry had to augment pulpwood from alternative source of raw materials of fast growing trees like Eucalyptus, Acacia, Casuarina, Leucaena etc. In spite of this for producing quality paper, certain percentage of bamboo mix in the raw material is considered essential, thus compelling the industry to procure bamboos from farflung places, which has been uneconomical. This necessitated bamboo planting on farm lands under Farm forestry and Agroforestry. Bamboo productivity-traditional way Numerous studies mentioned that the annual yield of bamboo in forest lands varied around 2 metric tones per hectare per annum, depending upon the intensity of stocking and biotic interferences. It was however, known that the yield in rainfed areas could be increased 4 to 5 times in five years if protection from grazing was ensured and proper management practices were adopted. The present yield per hectare is very low compared to other countries such as Japan, China, Taiwan and Malaysia. As compared to China and Taiwan, India s productivity is one fourth to one fifth. India has a long way to go on scientific cultivation of bamboo. Only the homestead farmers take care of bamboo.with regard to the potential productivity of bamboo from forest areas in India, two 96

117 observations can be made. Firstly, the present actual productivity is far less than the potential and in either case less than what was noticed in the homesteads. In Orissa productivity from homestead areas was an average of 5-6 MT per hectare per annum, much above the productivity level of bamboo in forest areas. In fact, the Orissa Bamboo Policy acknowledged that there was a need to enhance the productivity up to MT per ha per annum through scientific cultivation, superior clones and species change. Correspondingly, in Maharashtra from homestead areas, the average productivity was 3-4 MT per hectare per annum, which also was much above the productivity level of bamboo in the forest areas. Similarly, the yield in Andhra Pradesh was 7 MT per hectare per annum from forest plantations, while in the managed plantations it was found to be 12 MT per hectare per annum. Intensive management to enhance productivity The intensive management of bamboo as a resource has been neglected and underutilized. Lack of scientific management, technology and industry based demand growth has contributed to its underdeveloped state. There is, however, a huge yield gap between the present and potential yield. For example while the highest yield in Assam from Melocanna baccifira is 5 MT dry/ ha, it is reported in Taiwan that with intensive cultural operation and fertilization, Dendrocalamus gigantea gave an annual yield of MT/ ha. On the other hand in India s forest land, the dry yield of D.strictus, which is the most widely planted bamboo in India varies between 2-3 MT dry/ha. In Assam under homestead farming Bambusa tulda can yield more than 40 MT per ha. Appropriate selection of site, choice of species, manuring, protection and silvicultural practices can raise productivity substantially. In a publication ( Kishwan and Nautiyal, 2008) mentioned that the planned end-product of large sized monopodial species, such as Phyllostachys pubescens was 7/8 years old culms. The recommended age structure of culms in the stands after harvesting was 1-2 years old; 3-4 years old; 5-6 years old; over 7 years old in the ratio of 3:3:3:1. The density for high, medium and low production was about 3000; 2225 and 1500 culms/ha respectively with relative annual yield per ha of culm timber in green weight was 7-10, and below 3.5 MT respectively. Culms should be harvested at 4 years age for mid-sized monopodial species, such as P.viridis, P.glauca and P. bambusoides.the stand after felling should be preferably kept at the density of 10,000-15,000 culms/ha, with an age structure of 3:3:3:1 for 1-4 year old culms. The end product of sympodial species, such as D.strictus, Bambusa bambos and B.textilis was 3-4 year old culms and can be harvested at the rate of 30% in winter or dry season. The recommended stand density was 700 culms /ha, each clump containing 10/20 culms at 1-3 years age. The annual yield of culm timber generally ranges from 3-10 MT, sometimes reaching MT. In Tripura state, it was observed by the author that the farmers were raising a specific bamboo sp. Bambusa affinis with plant population of as high as 10,000 per ha. The produce was thin but strong culms and were in high demand for use as rods for fishing, javelin throw and umbrella stick. These were intensively managed plantations and yield started from second year harvesting 4000 culms per ha per year. Hence productivity in terms of culms were very high, although the end product was different. Later the author prepared a model bankable scheme for the farmers of Tripura, which was subsequently published in Indian Forester (Haque and Karmakar, 2004). 97

118 An intensive, scientifically managed commercial D.strictus plantation project using rhizomes as planting stocks by Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation and jointly sanctioned by NABARD and Bank of Maharashtra under co-financing arrangement, estimated an yield of 40 MT in 5 th year ( details in NABARD new initiatives).thus, it is possible to enhance productivity several times by using rhizomes as planting stocks with intensive management. NABARD s initiatives in Bamboo development Development of bamboo farming: In consonance with the action plan prepared by NMBTTD and NBM for upgrading bamboo economy, NABARD has accorded special status to the sector. It aims at developing bamboo farming, processing and marketing as a mainstream activity by changing the forestry mindset into farm mindset. To streamline operational and policy issues, the Bank has constituted a Bamboo cell at corporate H.O. and a representative in regional offices. NABARD has also prepared a policy document highlighting interventions to be undertaken in four broad areas viz. policy and promotion, financial assistance, capacity building and networking. The policy has also suggested state specific strategies and action plans for the promotion and development of bamboo cultivation, which include identification of surplus and deficit areas of bamboo production, industrial catchments and promotion of use as bamboo and it s products. NABARD in it s watershed projects, which are being implemented throughout the country prescribes bamboo plantings on the periphery and high ridges. As a strategy, bamboo development has been included in the district wise PLPs (Potential Linked Credit Plans) prepared by NABARD annually. Sanctioning of a Rs.18.55crore commercial bamboo plantation project under co-financing-high productivity: NABARD sanctioned for the first time in 2003 a very big bamboo plantation project under cofinancing mechanism to Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) in collaboration with Bank of Maharashtra. The activities were undertaken in the forest wastelands of the arid districts of Rangareddy, Medak, W.Godavari, Krishna and Khammam, where special intensive land preparation was undertaken using ploughing by tractors and also special soil moisture conservation technology was used to boost bamboo productivity. Superior quality rhizomes of D.strictus were used for raising plantation that would give not only quick yield but also to meet demands of the local people and the pulpwood industries. The project was to cover an area of 5,300 ha@ 790 ha per year and had a total financial outlay of Rs crores, with unit cost of Rs. 35,000 per ha. Since the plantation was rhizome based, first harvest was in 5th year and subsequently every alternate year, each of which was to yield 8000 culms per ha, generating an income of Rs.40,000 per ha per harvesting. If translated into weight, this will be 40 MT wood based on an average 5 kg weight of a culm. This estimate by the APFDC was achieved because of several management practices viz. right from the beginning it was conceived as a commercial project, rhizome was used as planting material, proper land preparation was done, cost for pitting, trenching, weeding, manuring and protection against grazing were included in the project. The project was sanctioned only after visiting the project sites by the author and holding discussions with the APFDC officials.the project was viable with cost benefit ratio of 1:4.61.It may be noticed that APFDC, although a Govt. Corporation did not estimate yield in MTs rather it was in no. of culms which give better returns. 98

119 NABARDs scheme for bamboo cultivation under homestead farming in Assam: It was observed that the farmers of Assam were not interested to raise bamboo through seedlings; rather they preferred B. tulda rhizomes for planting. After undertaking field visits, holding workshops with NGOs, farmers and bankers, ultimately a rhizome based model for intensive cultivation of bamboo was formulated. The scheme was exclusively designed for farmers who could spare at least one bigha of ( 1 / 3 acre) wastelands and the cost of cultivation was Rs over a period of 4 years. 85 bamboo rhizomes would be planted per bigha with spacing of 4 m x 4 m and first harvesting was in 5 th year when 320 culms would be available. In terms of productivity by weight, it would be more than 40 MT per ha per year. Based on average price of Rs. 20 per bamboo, income will be Rs in 5 th year, reaching to Rs. 16,000 in 10 th year on retail sale. The interest charged on loan was 8.5% per annum and IRR of the scheme was 37%. Implementation of the scheme started in and about 100 farmers were provided credit by Assam Gramin Vikas Bank. Repayment of loan with interest would be completed within 8 years. The fund disbursed by the bank was around Rs. 50 lakh. Shri Gopeswar Bordoloi of Morigaon district of Assam was the first bamboo farmer in India, who raised B.tulda plantation on his farm through bank credit. Problems in bamboo development: Despite its well known characteristics and potential for multiple uses, bamboo sector suffers from technology constraints both in plantation technology and management and its various uses in terms of lack of application of known scientific methods in plantation and post harvest treatment and technology for product development. Prospects and recommendations for increasing productivity/investments in bamboo sector: 1. Bamboo productivity: Genetic and breeding research to improve productivity through selection of superior clones is the need of the hour. Intervarietal, interspecific and intergeneric hybridization methods may be taken up on urgent basis by ICFRE ( Indian Council of Forestry Research Organisations) Institutes and must give practical solutions to this problem and release high yielding bamboo varieties for the benefit of the farmers and forest Departments. Use of Tissue cultured plants although have not been able to enhance productivity as desired level. 2. Change of mindset: Bamboo plantation should be taken as a commercial activity and the produce should be marketed as timber, not as minor forest produce. 3. Underfunding: No activity will succeed if proper funds are not allocated. In National Bamboo Mission there was a target of raising 88,000 ha bamboo plantation on non-forest lands and the unit cost was per ha, out of which only 8000 was subsidy. I had raised many times in NBM meetings held in Delhi about the inadequacy of funds for farmers. If the target of 88,000 ha is not yet achieved fully, the approach should be revisited and the unit cost should be revised as per present input costs. Since there is a component of bank loan, NABARD/ Banks should be involved. 4. Involving NGOs: Raising bamboo in non-forest wastelands is a tedious and difficult job, because not only these would be scattered, but the sector is also unorganized, hence involvement of reputed NGOs might be necessary. 99

120 5. M&E: Once projects are sanctioned at least twice a year monitoring and evaluation studies to be undertaken by NBM by appointing consultants. 6. R & D Fund: For improving bamboo productivity and new research on developing new generation products, a specific fund should be created either in ICFRE or in the NBM/ Ministry 7. Institutional credit: Investments in bamboo are negligible except the NBM fund, which is time bound. Once productivity is enhanced, investments will start flowing from the financial institutions. As of today, banks are not aware of the potential of bamboo in economic resurgence of the rural areas and are reluctant to fund bamboo schemes. They have to be sensitized by NABARD, NBM, NMBA, bamboo based industries and Govt. Departments about technical and financial parameters of bamboos. It is regrettable that still many people do not know the difference between a culm and a clump. Many 1 day sensitization workshops at district level need to be organized on these aspects by various stakeholders. 8. Transit rules: Many state Governments are yet to deregularise their transit pass rules for bamboo transport and farmers have to obtain clearance from Forest Department. This is one of the biggest bottlenecks in channelising bank credit. This restriction has to be removed by all participating states in NBM and bamboo movement has to be made easy. 9. Land availability: Land availability is a big problem to the farmers especially for raising 1 or 2 hectare plantations. While promoting bamboo in Assam, it was noticed that most of the farmers were interested to raise around 50 to 100 clumps on their lands either on the border or as row planting. Hence bamboo plantation schemes may be formulated for small area and financial benefits may be provided to such small holding farmers based on number of clumps planted. 10. Non-availability of quality planting stocks: This is one of the most important reasons why bamboo has not come up to it s potential. Since seed availability of good bamboo sp. are rare today, if a farmer wants to raise bamboo clumps, he does not know whom to approach. There are no nurseries where planting materials can be easily available. Some NGOs and forest departments might be maintaining nursery plants of D. strictus, and B.bambos but these are not favoured by the farmers. Thus, to make bamboos successful, easy availability of planting materials by establishing decentralized nurseries of the preferred sp. is a pre-requisite. References Haque, M.S. (1997). Prospects and Economics of bamboo cultivation on Farmlands. Paper presented at the workshop on National level Institutional framework for Bamboo development held on 24 July in New Delhi. Haque, M. S. and Karmakar, K. G. (2004). Potential and economics of kanak kaich bamboo (Bambusa affinis) cultivation in Tripura. The Indian Forester.Vol.130 (8) : Haque, M.S. (2006). Bamboo farming is a profitable venture- cultivate bamboo and earn profit. Brochure published in Assam R.O. Guwahati. 100

121 Haque, M.S. (2008). Investment potential in bamboo for integrated development.souvenir, International conference on bamboo productivity and marketing for sustainable livelihood, April, held by National Bamboo Mission, New Delhi. Jagdish Kishwan and Subhas Nautiyal (2008). Cultivation, stand management and harvesting of bamboo. Souvenir, International conference on bamboo productivity and marketing for sustainable livelihood, April, held by NBM. Karmakar, K.G. and Haque, M.S. (2004) Promotion of credit based bamboo development scheme by NABARD in Barak valley of Assam, India. Paper presented in VII world bamboo congress held at New Delhi from 27 February to 4 March NABARD. (2004). Bamboo project under co-financing, Annual Report NABARD. (2005). Development of bamboo farming, Annual Report Narain, A. (2008). Bamboo for economic development, employment generation and livelihood- a presentation by NMBA in the workshop for NABARD officers held at Coimbatore on 18 February. National Bamboo Mission, (2006). Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Operation Guidelines. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India, December. Report of National Mission on Bamboo technology and trade development. Planning Commission, (2003) GOI, April. Acknowledgements The author wishes to thank the organizers of National workshop on bamboo productivity in forest and non-forest areas held at Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun in January 30-31, 2014 for inviting to contribute the paper. 101

122 List of Participants Sl. No Name State Contact 1 D.K. Jain Additional Secretary, Horticulture Department, Agriculture & Coop. Ministry of Agri. New Delhi 2 Sanjay Kumar DDG, NBM, New Delhi R.B Sinha Joint Secretary, NBM, New Delhi 4 Mohinder Pal Chief Consultant, NBM, New Delhi 5 M.P. Rai PCCF, Punjab A. K. Saxena PCCF & Mission Director, SBM, Maharashtra, Pune A.K. Rana PCCF, Manipur Dr. Mehar Singh APCCF (E&TW), Forest Department, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala drmeharsandhu@gmail.com G.K. Sinha APPCF & State Mission Director, Gujarat 10 R.P. Agrawalla APCCF, Assam A.K Srivastava CCF (T), F&E Deptt. Meghalaya Shillong 12 H.B. Sharma Forest Head Office, Sanjenthong, Imphal bnhidana@yahoo.co.in A. K. Alipuria APCCF (R&T), Sundernagar, H. P S.S Chaudhury CCF(Research), Patna, Bihar C. Loma Mission Director, SBM Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar cloma64@yahoo.com

123 17 G. P. Praveen AGM, NABARD, Uttarakhand Region, Rajpur Road, Dehradun A. Lachungpa Project Director cum Mission Director SBM, Gov.t of Sikkim, Gongtok 19 Dr. T.P. Sharma Food Security and Agriculture development department, Govt. of Sikkim, Krishi Bhawan, Gangtok 20 Dr. E. M. Murlidharan Asst. Coordinator & Scientist, BTSG Group, KFRI, Peechi, Thrishur, Kerla 21 Dr. R.C. Pandalai Scientist-F, Peechi, KFRI, Kerla 22 S. D. Thakur SMD cum DFO (Research), Sunder Nagar (H.P.) 23 Rajesh Kumar FSI, Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun 24 Dr. R.K. Taj Scientist SFRI, Deptt. of E&F, Van Vihar, Chimpu, Itanagar 25 Dr. R.Murtem Scientist SFRI, Deptt. of E&F, Van Vihar, Chimpu, Itanagar Mr.Rajesh Kumar Ranga Rajesh Saw Mill, Sharda Chowk, Jabalpur (MP) Mr. Bhorti Private Bamboo Grower, M.P State 28 Dr. N. Barathi Grow More Biotech Ltd., 41-B, SIPCOT

124 II, Hosur (Tami Nadu) 29 Subodh Kulkarni Global Cooling Foundation C/O SanmatiCNC Engg. Works, Plot No. 46, Sector-A, Phase-1, Shri Laxmi Coop. Ind. Estate, Hatkanangale, Tal, Distt Kolhapur (MH) n.org 30 Rokovisa Chase Nagaland bamboo Development Agency, NBRC Complex, 6 th Mile, Dimapur, Nagaland rokovisa@gmail.com Amongla, C. NBDA, 6 th Mile, NBRC, Dimapur, Nagaland amonglac@gmail.com 32 B. R. Boharpi 545, Shakti Nagar, Jabalpur (MP) bhagwantboharpi@yahoo.in 33 Surjit Singh Sahota DFO Dasuya (Punjab) dfodasuya@gmail.com A. K. Srivastava CCF (T), F&E Department, Meghalaya, Shilong 35 Dr. Rajesh Kaushal Sr. Scientist, Plant Science Division, CSWCRTI, Koulagarh Road, Dehradun kaushalrajesh1@rediffmail.com Dr. O. P. Chaturvedi Head, Plant Science Division, CSWCRTI, Koulagarh Road, Dehradun chaturvediop@gmail.com 37 Dr. S. K. Dubey Head, Regional Research Station, CSWCRTI, Agra skdubeyagra@gmail.com

125 38 Dr. P. K. Mishra Director, CSWCRTI, Koulagarh Road, Dehradun 39 Dr. B. Krishna Rao Sr. Scientist, Regional Centre, Vasad (Gujrat) 40 Sanjeev S Karpe Koubae, Kudal Distt.-Sindhuely, Maharashtra sanjeev.libart@gmail.com Sunil Pandey BILT Dr. M.S. Haque Retired NABARD 304-Druv Apartment, Ashanagar, Kandivali (E), Mumbai. haque.ms@rediffmail.com Rajendra Kumar Siyag Joint Director Horticulture, Jaipur 44 R.P. Meena Asstt. Commissioner NBM, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi 45 Vimal Kumar Dhiman Project Manager, Uttarakhand Bamboo & Fibre Development Board, Indira Nagar, Forest Colony, Dehradun vimaldhiman@gmail.com 46 Mrs.N.Maya DFO, Research Tarining and Silviculture Division, Govt. of Manipur, Imphal nmaya09@gmail.com 47 Ritika Agrwal Co-ordinator Project and Planning SBM Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal 48 Diksha Lokhande Co-ordinator Enterprenuer Development, MPSBM, Bhopal Deepak Khanna, APCCF (P&P), Forest department, J&K khannad@homail.com 105

126 50 Dr. G. S. Goraya Dy. Director General (Research), ICFRE, Dehradun 51 Dr. S. P. Singh Dy. Director General (Admin.), ICFRE, Dehradun 52 Saibal Dasgupta Dy. Director General (Extension), ICFRE, Dehradun 53 Dr. N. S. Bisht Director (IC), ICFRE, Dehradun 54 Dr. Vimal Kothiyal Asstt. Director General (RP), ICFRE, Dehradun Dr. P. P. Bojvaid Director, FRI, Dehradun 56 V. B. Mathur Dean, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun 57 R. K. Goel Director, IGNFA, Dehradun 58 Dr. Alok Saxena Additional Director, IGNFA, Dehradun Ashish Rawat Principal, CASFOS, Dehradun 60 Dr. Dharmendra Verma Director, Directorate of Forest Education, Dehradun 61 Sandeep Kujur Head, Extension Division, FRI, Dehradun Umesh Kumar DCF, Extension Division, FRI, Dehradun Dr. Charan Singh Scientist-D, Extension Division, FRI, Dehradun 64 Rambir Singh Scientist-C, Extension Division, FRI, Dehradun 65 Dr. Subhash Nautiyal Scientist-G, Botany Division, FRI, Dehradun

127 66 Dr. Dinesh Kumar Scientist-F, Silviculture division, FRI, Dehradun 67 Dr. Y. P. Singh Scientist-E, Pathology Division, FRI, Dehradun 68 S. S. Jain Bamboo Consultant, BTSG-ICFRE, Dehradun 69 A. Dobhal Bamboo Consultant, BTSG-ICFRE, Dehradun

128 The Authors Name Goraya, G.S. Agarwal, Ritika Lokhande, Diksha Barathi, N. Saxena, A. K Tewari, S. Chaturvedi, O. P. Kaushal, R. Dhiman, Vimal Kumar Address Dy Director General (Research), ICFRE, Dehradun Co-ordinator, Project and Planning SBM Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal Co-ordinator, Enterprenuer Development, MPSBM, Bhopal Director Grow More Biotech Ltd., 41-B, SIPCOT-II, Hosur (Tami Nadu) PCCF & Mission Director, SBM, Maharashtra, Pune Scientist, G.B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar Scientist, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun Scientist, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun Project Manager, Uttarakhand Bamboo & Fibre Development Board, Indira Nagar, Forest Colony, Dehradun Singh, Mehar Sharma, T. P. APCCF (E&TW), Forest Department, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Scientist, Food Security and Agriculture development 108

129 department, Govt. of Sikkim, Krishi Bhawan, Gangtok Kurothe, R. S. Krishna Rao, B. Muralidharan, E.M. Mishra, P. K. Pandalai, R.C. Scientist, Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Research Centre, Vasad (Anand), Gujarat Scientist, Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Research Centre, Vasad (Anand), Gujarat Asst. Coordinator & Scientist, BTSG Group, KFRI, Peechi, Thrishur, Kerla Director, Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Dehradun , Uttarakhand Scientist, BTSG Group, KFRI, Peechi, Thrishur, Kerla Sinha, G.K. Binu, N.K. Nishant, Nity Buxy, Suneesh Sinha, G.N. Mission Director & Addl. PCCF, SF-II Gujarat State Bamboo Development Agency, Gandhi Nagar, Block No. 14, Juna Sachivalaya Dr. Jivraj Mehta Bhavan, Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat) Asst. Professor, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, kerala, India Former Research Trainee, Department of Forests & Wild Life, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, India, I. P. Estate, New Delhi -2, India Conservator of Forests, Department of Forests and Wild Life, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, India, I. P Estate, New Delhi -2, India Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head, Department of Forests and Wild Life, 109

130 Govt. of NCT of Delhi, India, I. P Estate, New Delhi -2, India Kumar, Rajesh S. Taj, R.K. Karpe, Sanjeev Chawla, V. K. Nath, S. K. Haque, M.S. Member, Indian Forest Service (IFS), and Former Scholar, George August University, Goettingen, Germany Scientist State Forest Research Institute Department of Environment & Forests Arunachal Pradesh: Itanagar Director, Konkan Bamboo & Cane Development Centre - KONBAC Bhogatecompound,Kudal- SawantwadiRoad, Udaymnagar, Kudal Dist. Sindhudurg, Maharashtra State, Pin Indian Plywood Industries Research & Training Institute (IPIRTI), Post Bag No.2273, Tumkur Road, Yeshwanthpur PO, Bangalore Indian Plywood Industries Research & Training Institute (IPIRTI), Post Bag No.2273, Tumkur Road, Yeshwanthpur PO, Bangalore Consultant, NABARD Consultancy services, Mumbai

131 Organizing team from ICFRE ORGANIZING TEAM S. No. Name Designation Address 1. Mr. G.S. Goraya Dy. Director General (Research) 2. Dr. Vimal Kothiyal, Asstt. Director general (RP) 3. Dr. S. S. Jain Scientist-F (Rtd.) & Bamboo Consultant ICFRE, Dehradun ICFRE, Dehradun ICFRE, Dehradun 4. Shri A. D. Dhobal Bamboo Consultant ICFRE, Dehradun Organizing team from FRI S. No. Name Designation Address 1. Dr. P. P. Bhojvaid Director Forest research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 2. Mr. Sandeep Kujur Head of Division Extension Division Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 3. Mr. Umesh Kumar DCF (Extension) Extension Division Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 4. Dr. Charan Singh Scientist-D Extension Division Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 5. Mr. Rambir Singh Scientist-C Extension Division Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 6. Mr. P. K. Gupta Scientist-C (Retd.) Extension Division Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 7. Mr. Ajay Gulati RA-1 Extension Division Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 8. Mr. K. D. Uniyal RA-1 Extension Division Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 111

132 Supporting personnel from PLO's office 9. Dr. K. P. Singh Scientist-C Public Liaison Office Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 10. Mr. Manjeet Singh RA-II Public Liaison Office Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest Dehradun 11. Mr. T. R. Kakkar RA-II Public Liaison Office Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 12. Mr. Virender Rawat RA-II Public Liaison Office Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 13. Mr. Sarvesh Photographer Public Liaison Office Forest Research Institute, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 112

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135 With best compliments from: NATIONAL BANK FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT MISSION: Promotion of sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural prosperity through effective credit support related services, institution development and other innovation initiatives. MAJOR ACTIVITIES Credit Functions: Refinance for production credit (Short Term) and investment credit (Medium and Long Term) to eligible Banks and financing institutions Development Functions: To reinforce the credit functions and make credit more productive, development activities are being undertaken through Research and Development Fund Micro-Finance Development and Equity Fund (MFDEF) Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) Financial Inclusion Technology Fund (FITF) Farm Innovation and Promotion Fund (FIPF) Farmers' Technology Transfer Fund (FTTF) Watershed Development Fund (WDF) Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) Tribal Development Fund (TDF) Cooperative Development Fund (CDF) Rural Innovation Fund Supervisory functions: NABARD shares with RBI certain regulatory and supervisory functions in respect of Cooperative Banks and RRBs. Provides consultancy services relating to Agriculture & Rural Development. NABARD Head Office- Plot No. C-24, G-Block, Bandra-Kulra Complex, Post Box No. 8121, Bandra (E), Mumbai Visit us at: Committed service to rural prosperity

136 D I N I NATIONAL BAMBOO MISSION (Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture & Co-operation, Govt. of India) Object of the Mission To promote the growth of bamboo sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategy; To increase the coverage of area under bamboo in potential areas, with suitable species to enhance yields; To promote marketing of bamboo and bamboo-based handicrafts; To establish convergence and synergy among stakeholders for the development of bamboo. To promote, develop and disseminate technologies through a seamless blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge; To generate employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled persons, especially unemployed youths. Strategy of the Mission Adopt a coordinated approach covering production and marketing to assure appropriate returns to growers/producers. Promote Research and development (R&D) of genetically superior clones of suitable species and technologies for enhanced productions. Enhance acreage (in forest and non-forest areas) and productivity of bamboo through species change and improved cultural practices. Promote partnership, convergence and synergy among R & D and marketing agencies in public as well as private sector, at all levels. Promote where appropriate, cooperatives and self-help groups to ensure support and adequate return to farmers. Facilitate capacity-building and Human Resource Development. Set up National, State and sub-state level structure, to ensure adequate return to farmers. Facilitate capacity-building and Human Resources Development. Set up National, State and sub-state level structure, to ensure adequate returns for the produce of the farmers and eliminate middlemen, to the extent possible. IN A N C O U N C IL O F o u F O L R ir E S ; TR % ' Y RE kk S r% fu E A C R H O T A C U D E D N A Bamboo Technical Support Group (BTSG) Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (An Autonomous body of Ministry if Environment and forests, govt. of India) P.O. New Forest, Dehradun (Uttarakhand) telefax: , Website : ddg_res@icfre.org Print: S.S. Technoprint Pvt. Ltd. Dehradun. Ph.: