Here’s how Bamboo is bringing development in Jharkhand

Ranchi: Bamboo which is known as green gold is a strong, profitable, renewable as well as environment-friendly crop that can be easily grown for various purposes. Bamboo is also considered to be the most durable material on earth.
India being the second-largest producer of bamboo in the world after China, continuously strives to create and increase awareness of bamboo globally. Owing to the durability and ability to grow in any environment, the plant is considered as a symbol of progress and prosperity. Scientists across the country believe that the plant compared to other vegetation has 35 percent more oxygen. The concept of sustainable development and the vision of ‘Green India’ is also being realized through bamboos.
On September 18, people of Jharkhand, a tribal-dominated state, which is the largest producer of bamboo, celebrated World Bamboo Day with great fervour and zeal. The Thai Royal Forest Department declared this date as World Bamboo Day in 2009 at the 8th World Bamboo Congress.
Making the day special, the government of the state planned to bring about positive changes in the livelihood of the tribal through various schemes. On one hand, the emphasis was on increasing the production of bamboo, while on the other hand, skill trainings were also being imparted to the artisans.
Apart from the initiative, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand Raghubar Das also organised a two-day Bamboo Artisan Mela 2019 in Dhuma where artisans received training on sustainable development. Investors from all over the country were informed about the bamboo-based industry at the mela. Several organizations such as IKEA, TRIFED, Fabindia, ESAF from states including Assam, Tripura, Delhi, and Meghalaya were also spotted attending the mela.
K Ravi Kumar, Secretary, Department of Industries, Jharkhand, highlighted some of the efforts by the government to lift people out of poverty through various programs and schemes pertaining to bamboo production.