Tall plans to make NE bamboo a major source of revenue
By A Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 22 The tallest grass in the world could well become an
unexpected revenue source in the Northeast if an ambitious plan makes headway.
The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) has envisaged a scheme that would allow
bamboo plantations to become part of a global carbon credit mechanism.
Till now the potential of bamboo plantations has not been realised as a carbon
credit generator. But things could change, and the plan if successful could
bring in much needed revenue to the region and its farmers.
Well-placed officials of the Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre, Guwahati told
The Assam Tribune that the NBM has tied up with Emergent Ventures India, a
private organisation towards identification and feasibility assessment of all
potential compliance and voluntary carbon credit generation opportunities.
The planned project involves plantation of bamboo on community and government
lands in parts of Nagaland. Subsequently, it would be replicated in other parts
of the country.
It was stated that there were four activities where bamboo based products can
potentially avail Green House Gas mitigation benefits. The activities are in
Plantation Stage, Bamboo gasification for power, Bamboo gasification for
thermal use and Charcoal preparation for thermal use.
The value of credits would vary according depending on the type, compliance
with other standards, the year in which the credit accrue and other factors.
In real terms, the benefits to farmers in the Northeast could be substantial
because unlike other forest resources various varieties of bamboo grow in the
region in natural conditions. Unlike timber, bamboo also takes much less time
to mature leading to fast harvesting and replenishment. The NBM that has put
special stress on plantation and processing of bamboo has set a target of
planting 1,72,000 ha of bamboo in forestland of the country and another
1,72,000 ha in non-forest area by 2012. Much of the plantations would be in
Northeast India, where 60 per cent of bamboo resources are located.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, Carbon credits are a key component of emission
trading schemes towards reducing global warming. Credits can be exchanged
between businesses or bought and sold in international markets at the
prevailing market price. Credits can be also be used to finance carbon
reduction schemes between trading partners and around the world.
(The Assam Tribune,23.02.2008)
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