Maha CM Encourages Bamboo Cultivation for Economic and Environmental Benefits, & To Check Pollution

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has called upon farmers to engage in large-scale bamboo cultivation through group farming. He made this appeal during an event focused on bamboo cultivation in Dare taluka, Mahabaleshwar, while also announcing the establishment of bamboo parks in urban areas to combat rising pollution.

Highlighting the versatility of bamboo as a crop, Chief Minister Shinde noted its potential to offer multiple benefits to farmers. The government is actively working to create additional income opportunities for farmers through bamboo cultivation.

Shinde emphasized the economic advantages of bamboo cultivation by comparing it to sugarcane farming. While sugarcane typically yields around 100 tons per hectare and sells for at least Rs 2,500 per ton, bamboo can yield a minimum of 100 tons per hectare with a minimum price of Rs 4,000 per ton. This promising financial outlook can strengthen the economic well-being of cultivators.

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Bamboo production starts in the third year, making it a valuable asset for soil protection and water conservation. Furthermore, bamboo is being harnessed to bolster the agricultural economy by producing ethanol. Shinde noted the significant difference in water requirements between sugarcane and bamboo cultivation.

One hectare of sugarcane demands two crore liters of water, while one hectare of bamboo requires 20 lakh liters. Additionally, crushing one ton of sugarcane yields 80 liters of ethanol, whereas one ton of bamboo produces 400 liters of ethanol.

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In addition to its economic benefits, bamboo offers notable environmental advantages. Bamboo is a prolific oxygen producer, releasing 320 kg of oxygen into the atmosphere annually. On average, one acre of bamboo land can produce 60 tons of oxygen. Furthermore, bamboo can absorb approximately 200 tons of carbon dioxide from the air per hectare of land, contributing to temperature reduction.

To further tap into the potential of bamboo, the government plans to establish a bamboo-based manufacturing industry, offering employment opportunities for youth in the Kandati Valley. The creation of bamboo parks in urban areas is part of a broader strategy to combat rising pollution.

Shinde also highlighted the promotion of water tourism in the Koyna reservoir, with a Rs 45 crore project underway in Munawale, Jawli taluka. This project will include scuba diving, paragliding, speed boating, and adventure water sports, alongside essential facilities for tourists, thereby generating employment opportunities for locals within their own villages.

These initiatives reflect a concerted effort to harness bamboo's potential for economic growth, environmental conservation, and employment generation in Maharashtra.

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