The State Government has come out with a draft policy on bamboo, one of the important forest produces in the State, to improve livelihood options, especially in1 tribal districts.
The draft policy maintains, “It can be an important source of employment, engaging millions of farmers, craft persons, industrial workers and others in rural and urban areas in organised and un-organised sector.”
Odisha has 9 per cent of the country’s total bamboo forest cover and 7 per cent of total growing stock of bamboo. The bamboo in forest areas of Odisha grows as mixed crop associated with Sal and 85 other species.
Though Odisha is placed fifth in the country on the basis of area under bamboo forest, the production of bamboo in the State is low and it does not reach its potential as an important livelihood source to people in the State.
Statistics revealed that the mixed bamboo forest area is spread over about 17,795 sq km and pure bamboo forest is about 375 sq km.
There are about 13 species of bamboo available in Odisha of which most commonly found are Dendrocalamus strictus (80 per cent), and (10 per cent) Bambusa bambos.
As per the draft policy, the Government will take steps to promote growth of the bamboo sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategy, protect existing bamboo forests and increase the coverage with suitable species to enhance yields and promote marketing of bamboo.