The Maharashtra authorities in its 2024-25 price range introduced Atal Bamboo Samruddhi Yojna. The choice was taken after year-long deliberation that led to the structure of a job pressure below CM Eknath Shinde. In an interview with Shubhangi Khapre, the manager chairman of the duty pressure, Pasha Patel, reveals bamboo plantations have a bigger position in not simply tackling local weather change but additionally boosting the agricultural financial system in Maharashtra.
Atal Bamboo Samruddhi Yojna is an important scheme launched to successfully fight the challenges of rising temperatures as a result of climatic change. For the primary time, such an exhaustively studied scheme finds its means into the state’s annual budget 2024-25. Beneath this scheme, bamboos shall be planted on 10,000 hectares of land throughout the state. In tribal Nandurbar district, bamboo plantation shall be finished over 1.20 hectares of land. The farmers shall be given Rs 7 lakh over three years for the plantation and upkeep of the bamboos. 90 per cent of the scheme shall be funded by the central authorities, whereas the remaining 10 p.c shall be lined by the state. In tribal areas, it is going to be solely centrally funded.
How does tree plantation fight local weather change?
The period of temperature rise is now over. Now, the “burning period” has begun which if not checked with fast measures, poses a risk to wreak havoc on humanity. To attain these targets we now have to minimise the usage of diesel, petrol and coal. Concurrently, we now have to undertake large tree plantations. On January 3, 2024 CM job pressure was constituted comprising 9 cupboard ministers. On March 12, 2024 one other job pressure below me together with 14 secretaries from numerous associated departments was set as much as take ahead the venture.
Why bamboo?
Bamboo is environmentally and economically possible. Inside three years of sapling plantation, it grows right into a full fledged plant. Whereas, if we plant Peepal or Banyan bushes, it takes over 10 to fifteen years to develop right into a tree. Secondly, bamboo yearly generates 280 kg of oxygen and absorbs 320 kg carbon dioxide. If you happen to plant bamboo alongside the roadside, home or any dwellings, the temperature will drop by two p.c. It has been examined and proved.
Are bamboo economically profitable to farmers?
Bamboo plantation isn’t going to interchange conventional farming. Those that develop soybean, cotton, onion, and so forth will proceed with their conventional framing. Along with their conventional farming, we’re encouraging farmers to take up bamboo plantation alongside their farm fences or river, pond banks.
Are you able to clarify how the endeavour helps even the non-agriculture sector?
Maharashtra is quickly popping out with an industrial coverage the place bamboo plantation and its manufacturing will turn out to be an integral facet. The industries minister Uday Samant is engaged on it with our job pressure. Other than environmental issues, we’re taking a look at its a number of utility, particularly in giving impetus to the agricultural financial system. The bamboo can be utilized to develop greens, make pickles, jams, develop rice, ethanol manufacturing, material, cutlery. Other than that, the bamboo furnishings business could be totally developed by means of MSMEs. It has big potential to generate employment and promote craftsmanship amongst expert staff.
Nevertheless it has its limitations as merchandise, does it not?
Look we now have to come back out with alternate options to minimise the usage of our current assets primarily coal, iron and so forth to safe the environment. The choice is in bamboo. It’s a severe challenge. The Dutch Finnish and Indian governments are all dedicated to bamboo cultivation. We have now to cut back our dependence on thermal crops for energy era. Bamboo could be a substitute for biomass with increased calorific worth. We’re planning for 300 bamboo based mostly refineries. The centre has already arrange one refinery in Assam.
How does it assure employment in rural areas?
The centre has included bamboo plantation below the Mahatma Gandhi Nationwide Rural Employment Assure Act (MGNREGA). So, bamboo plantation undertaken within the rural belt guarantees assured day by day wages to the unemployed.
If our venture evolves, its impression shall be seen throughout rural and concrete areas when it comes to jobs and livelihood. To quote one instance, the inside designing of Guwahati airport is completed with bamboo. Equally in Kempegowda airport, Bangalore. The chief minister Eknath Shinde has taken the choice to make use of bamboo within the inside design of Shirdi Worldwide Airport.
What about soil well being and water necessities for bamboo cultivation?
That is one plant which might develop throughout the nation, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. It doesn’t require a lot upkeep. It’s much less water intensive. Sugarcane crop on one hectare requires two crore litres of water. In comparison with this, bamboo on one hectare wants solely 20 litres of water. It survives on drip irrigation and three.5 ft soil. From one ton of sugarcane crushing we make 80 litres ethanol. Whereas, one ton of bamboo processed generates 200 litres of ethanol.
How about drought susceptible area Marathwada?
If there’s any area which is able to derive most profit from bamboo plantation, it’s the drought susceptible district of Marathwada. Earlier than taking cost of the duty pressure, I, myself, have labored within the subject for a number of many years. We took up a bamboo plantation in Daregaon. Primarily based on our subject expertise we made an in depth presentation to the state authorities. I have to reiterate that the Shinde authorities is dedicated to this venture.