Maharashtra must build bamboo economy for sustainable growth: Governor Jishnu Dev Varma

Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma. File pic

Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has called for the development of a bamboo-based economy in the state to promote sustainable growth, create rural livelihoods and provide environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic.

Speaking at the Bamboo Economy and Sustainability Summit in Mumbai on Sunday, Varma suggested that Maharashtra could adopt successful bamboo-based models from his home state Tripura. He said districts such as Gadchiroli could emerge as important centres for developing a strong bamboo value chain, benefiting farmers and tribal communities.

Bamboo can support greener economy

Varma highlighted bamboo's potential in addressing climate change, describing it as a rapidly renewable resource that could support sustainable production and consumption.

"Bamboo also has an important role in our response to climate change. As a rapidly renewable resource, it can contribute to sustainable production and consumption and support the transition towards a greener and more circular economy," the governor said.

He also praised Indian artisans for their expertise in bamboo craftsmanship and said their traditional skills could be combined with modern technology and marketing to expand the sector.

"If these skills are supported by modern design, processing technology, branding and digital marketing, Maharashtra's bamboo products can reach markets across India and the world. India has the largest youthful population in the world. Bamboo can also create significant opportunities for youth and women entrepreneurs, self-help groups and rural enterprises," he said.

Bamboo as climate and livelihood solution

Pasha Patel, Maharashtra State Agriculture Price Commission and Executive Chairman of the Chief Minister's Task Force on Environment and Sustainable Development, described bamboo as a potential game changer in tackling climate change.

He said bamboo could help Maharashtra increase its green cover rapidly, pointing out that trees such as peepal and banyan take decades to fully mature, while bamboo grows considerably faster.

Patel also said bamboo absorbs significant quantities of carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, making it useful in efforts to mitigate climate change.

"Bamboo offers farmers stability but with greater climate resilience. Unlike cotton or soyabean, which are vulnerable to erratic weather, bamboo requires minimal attention once planted and can provide farmers long-term security," Patel said.

He said carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, which he cited as being 430 parts per million (ppm), could rise further by 2050.

"The day carbon in the air reaches 450 ppm, one will not want to live on this earth. It will feel like hell," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)