Restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM)

The Restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM) has played a significant role in boosting the rural economy and reducing import dependency by promoting bamboo cultivation, value addition, and market integration.

About the Restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM)

• The mission was launched in 2018-19 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) to enhance bamboo cultivation, processing, and market linkages.
• Aim: To support both government and private sectors in activities such as bamboo propagation, treatment, market establishment, incubation centers, value-added product development, and the development of tools and equipment.
• Funding: The funding pattern for the scheme is 60:40 between the Centre and State Governments except for Northeastern and Hilly States, where the ratio is 90:10.
• Provides 100% funding for Union Territories, Bamboo Technology Support Groups (BTSGs), and National Level Agencies.

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About National Bamboo Mission (NBM)

• NBM was initially launched in 2006 to promote bamboo-based development.
• The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is the nodal ministry responsible for its implementation.
• Between 2014 and 2016, the mission was subsumed under the Mission for Development of Horticulture.
• In 2018, the mission was restructured under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), focusing on market linkages, value addition, and research & development (R&D).
• A significant reform in 2018 was the amendment of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, which removed bamboo grown outside forests from the definition of trees.
  • This reform eased cultivation and trade by eliminating the requirement for transit permits, boosting private bamboo farming.

About Bamboo

• Bamboo is a grass  belonging to the subfamily Bambusoideae of the Poaceae family and includes over 115 genera and 1,400 species.
• It is widely distributed in tropical, subtropical, and mild temperate regions, with the highest concentration found in East and Southeast Asia and islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
• Some species of the genus Arundinaria are native to the southern United States, where they form dense canebrakes along riverbanks and marshy areas.
• Its woody, ringed stems (culms) are typically hollow and grow in clusters from underground rhizomes.
• Most bamboo species flower and produce seeds only once in their lifetime, with cycles ranging from 12 to 120 years, relying primarily on vegetative reproduction.

Application of Bamboo

• Carbon Sequestration: Bamboo is highly efficient in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, contributing to carbon sequestration.
  • Studies indicate that bamboo produces 35% more oxygen than most other vegetation.
• Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependence: Bamboo is among the fastest-growing plants in the world, with a growth rate of 30 cm to 90 cm (1 to 3 feet) per day.
  • Its rapid growth makes it a highly efficient biomass producer, which can be utilized as an alternative to fossil fuels.
• Bamboo as Food and  Medicine: In the Northeastern states of India, fresh bamboo shoots are widely consumed as vegetables and used as key ingredients in local dishes.
  • Certain parts of the bamboo plant, including its roots, are believed to have therapeutic properties and are used in traditional medicine in the Northeast.
• Adaptation and Livelihood Support: Bamboo’s flexible harvesting cycle allows farmers to adapt to climate changes and provides a consistent income source throughout the year.
• Environmental Restoration: Bamboo thrives in challenging environments and plays a significant role in land restoration efforts.
  • It helps prevent soil erosion and contributes to restoring degraded lands.

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Status of Bamboo Production in India

• Bamboo Distribution & Growth:
  • Bamboo species were recorded in over 18,000 inventoried grids between 2016-17 and 2019-20.
  • The total number of bamboo culms at the national level is estimated at 53,336 million.
  • There has been a 35.19% increase in bamboo culms between ISFR 2019 and ISFR 2021, with an increase of 13,882 million culms.
• Classification of Bamboo Culms:
  • Green Sound Culms: 73.40%
  • Dry Sound Culms: 17.54%
  • Decayed Culms: 9.06%
  • The 2-5 cm diameter class has the highest contribution to the total number of culms.

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