World Bamboo Day: While protecting the environment, the ‘green gold’ also empowers rural women
Having earned the epithet of ‘green gold’, bamboo has been put to use in several ways, notably as an ingredient in medicinal concoctions, as food and even as a sustainable construction material. But apart from its contribution to a greener environment, the plant is also helping increase the income of rural women. Details here.
Women in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur making handicrafts from bamboo. Photo: Gaon Connection
In a bid to spread awareness about conserving and promoting the bamboo industry, September 18 is observed as the ‘World Bamboo Day’ internationally. The day is also marked to ensure sustainable utilisation of bamboo as well as promoting it for its potential to protect the environment.
Bamboo, often called ‘green gold’, is the grass that locks more carbon than other natural materials on earth. For thousands of years, the bamboo plant has been put to use in several ways, notably as an ingredient in medicinal concoctions, as food, as jewellery, decorative pieces and even as an alternative construction material. The plant is evergreen and is amongst one of the fastest growing plants in the world.
Bamboo plant is found in abundance in the north-eastern parts of India, and it also grows well in the jungles of West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
After China, India is the largest producer of bamboo in the world.
“The bamboo releases thirty five per cent more oxygen into the atmosphere, when compared to other trees, and at the same time absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide. It is also a plant that can be cut in three to five years,” NG Iboima, chief scientist of CSIR – Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru, was quoted as saying.
Besides, the shoots of the bamboo plant are said to be delicious. It has been used in many traditional cuisines for centuries. Sometimes the bamboo shoots are dried and used in cooking. They are also used in curries, pickles, salads, candies and so on. Bamboo is particularly popular with tribal communities that grow them.
Apart from this, the bamboo is being used to empower rural women. A recent Gaon Connection report from Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh highlighted how by roping in a design consultant from Assam, the Mirzapur forest department is honing the handicraft skills of tribal women. This is helping increase their income by using locally available bamboo. Some men have also joined the free training and are making jewellery, raakhi, mats, show pieces, flower pots, etc from bamboo.
Also Read: Bamboo to boost livelihood of tribal women in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh