 |
Kerala
http://www.kerala.gov.in
Twenty-two species of bamboo and two varieties belonging to six genera are recorded as native of Kerala.? These include genera such as Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, Pseudoxytenanthera, Schizostachyum, Sinarundinaria and Ochlandra.? Besides these, over 10 species such as Bambusa vulgaris, B. vulgaris var. wamin, B. multiplex, B. polymorpha, B. balcooa, Dendrocalamus brandisii, D. giganteus, D. longispathus, D. hamiltonii, Thyrosostachys oliveri, T. regia etc. are cultivated in homegardens and forest plantations. The majority of bamboos in Kerala are found at an elevation of 50-1500 m above sea level.?
The species belonging to the genera such as Ochlandra, Bambusa and Dendrocalamus are seen extensively growing in large forest areas as bamboo brakes and reed brakes. The species like Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus are adapted to the dry plains and hilly tracts.? Their distribution is abundant in the most deciduous forests.? Bambusa bambos is generally found at an elevation between 50m – 1000 m and distributed throughout Kerala. Dendrocalamus strictus is distributed in the forests of Attappady, Nilambur, and Chinnar at an altitude of m above sea level.
Ochalandra travancorica reedi or simply reeds is a rare species of bamboo found abundantly in the forests of Kerala. Bamboo mats woven from reeds is very popular in the state and so is bamboo ply, the resin bonded bamboo mats, which are a good substitute for wood/plywood based applications. Since the plant propagates rapidly and the collection method is by select felling, the ecological balance is not disturbed even if reeds are cut in large numbers. For centuries man has been using bamboo for various purposes. As a natural, renewable resource, bamboo is regaining its popularity in the modern world.
The distribution is as indicated below:
S.No. |
Species |
Vernacular name |
Altitude(in meters) |
1. |
Bambusa bambos |
Mula, Illy |
40-1000 |
2. |
B. bambos var. giganteus |
Paramula |
|
3. |
Dendrocalamus strictus |
Kallanmula |
5-800 |
4. |
Ochlandra beddomei |
Eetta |
|
5. |
O. ebracteata |
Velleetta |
|
6. |
O. keralensis |
Eetta |
|
Utilisation of bamboo in the State
The weaving sector artisans around Ankamaly region is supported by the Kerala State Bamboo Corporation. It is estimated that there are about a lakh people in the state dependent on bamboo for their livelihood. Recent data from the panchayats indicate that from the early seventies onwards there has been a great drain in the number of artisans from the sector to semi skilled and unskilled jobs in the tertiary sectors like construction etc.
Draft Kerala Bamboo Policy:
This policy focuses on sustainable development of bamboo sector in Kerala with the active participation of stakeholders. The major pillars of this policy are sustainable management of existing bamboo resources in forest areas, plantations and in the homesteads, resource enhancement both in the forests and homesteads with the participation of stakeholders, better distribution of bamboo resources to the user groups and setting up bamboo-based industries. The policy suggests establishment of appropriate institutions, scientific management and marketing, linkage between production and utilization, industrial development, proper pricing, preferential treatment of bamboos in the forests and homesteads, formulation and implementation of grower friendly rules and regulations on growing, harvesting, transporting and marketing and appropriate publicity, research and extension.
Implementation of strategies laid out in the policy would pave the way for sustainable development of the bamboo sector and livelihood of peoples dependent on bamboos in Kerala as follows.
OBJECTIVES Broadly the policy aims at?? sustainable development and?? utilization of bamboo resources in the State?? through scientific management and stakeholders’ participation. More specifically, the policy aims at:
- Protection and conservation of biodiversity,
- Enhancement of resources through promotion of bamboo plantation in forest areas and wastelands,
- Promotion of bamboo cultivation in private lands as a commercial crop,
- Improvement of bamboo productivity by use of improved planting stock? and scientific management practices,
- Promotion of bamboo based industries at? cottage, small, medium and large scale levels for utilizing the available resources at a sustainable level for generating assured income,
- Revival and promotion of traditional sector for producing handicrafts and other value added items. Promotion of product diversification and value addition items in the organized sector,
- Enhancing employment opportunity and livelihood security of the bamboo dependents? at all levels through assured supply of raw materials and establishment of? appropriate institutions,
- Improvement and promotion of traditional bamboo houses and establishment of modern bamboo houses, thereby reducing pressure on forests and wood deficiency in the state,
- Use of bamboo for environmental protection, greening up of degraded lands and other diversified activities such as watershed protection and river banks and as geotex in? construction of roads and bridges,
- Promotion of bamboo sector development as a part of rural development linked with forestry and agro forestry to enhance employment opportunities.
Approaches To Bamboo Sector Development
To achieve the above objectives, the following approaches are suggested:
- Creation and maintenance of database for sustainable management of bamboo?? resources and implementation of developmental programmes.
- Conservation of biodiversity, germplasm and genepool areas both in forest and non-forest areas.
- Sustainable management of bamboo resources and controlled harvesting.
- Promotion of bamboo resources in forests and non-forest areas by introducing??? high yielding species and? scientific method of cultivation.
- Emphasis on commercially viable bamboo plantations in private lands and improvement of productivity.
- Development of bamboo based industries through assured supply of raw materials and effective marketing.
- Improvement of? livelihood security of the bamboo dependents, through increased employment opportunity? and institutional support and skill development.
- Enactment of grower friendly rules and regulations regarding? planting, harvesting and?transportation.
- Large scale use in environmental protection, watershed development, and river bank protection.
- Effective publicity and extension work for popularization of bamboo.
STRATEGIES
The areas in which detailed plans are to be formulated are given below:
- Database Development
- Protection and Conservation of? Biodiversity
- Sustainable Management of Resources
- Resource Enhancement
- Development of bamboo-based? industries
- Livelihood Security of the Bamboo Dependents
- Enactment of Grower Friendly Rules and Regulation
- Environmental protection
- Skill development
- Scientific Input and Research? Activities?
- Publication and? Awareness
Conclusion
This policy focuses on sustainable development of bamboo sector in Kerala with the active participation of stakeholders. The major pillars of this policy are sustainable management of existing bamboo resources in forest areas, plantations and in the homesteads, resource enhancement both in the forests and homesteads with the participation of stakeholders, better distribution of bamboo resources to the user groups and setting up bamboo-based industries. The policy suggests establishment of appropriate institutions, scientific management and marketing, linkage between production and utilisation, industrial development, proper pricing, preferential treatment of bamboos in the forests and homesteads, formulation and implementation of grower friendly rules and regulations on growing, harvesting, transporting and marketing and appropriate publicity, research and extension.
Implementation of strategies laid out in the policy would pave the way for sustainable development of the bamboo sector and livelihood of peoples dependent on bamboos in Kerala as follows.
The bamboo policy will:
- Promote food security, ecological security, livelihood and economic security to rural artisans and industrial workers.
- Expose bamboo sector to research, technology, improved management and industrial as well as craft specific value addition in bamboo products.
- Enhance bamboo resources to meet the raw material requirement for traditional and modern sectors.
- Develop modern bamboo economy based on Science and Technology, entrepreneurs, People’s participation, Industrial application, and
- Build strong linkage with market capable of meeting international standards to compete in the global market.
Kerala Bamboo Mission
The State Bamboo Mission was constituted in November 2003 with the broad aim of marshalling the scattered resources of the State and adopting a focused approach to revitalize the bamboo sector thereby promoting value addition, enhancing income generation and alleviating poverty.
More specifically, the Mission will concentrate on activities aimed at: -
1. |
Promoting cultivation of bamboo and cane |
2. |
Promoting upgradation of skills of craftsmen and artisans through training |
3. |
Promoting development of new products and innovative designs and usages |
4. |
Promoting research in the bamboo sector to bring in new technologies, higher levels of mechanization and better value realization |
5. |
Tapping the IT strengths of the State for creating a network/linkages of service providers, experts, research institutions, commercial operators and Government bodies to provide access to information, markets and technologies for the benefit of bamboo cultivators and artisans. |
By these the Mission intends to secure the foundations of a sustainable bamboo based economy providing livelihood and economic security to artisans, craftsmen, planters and industrial workers through a broad-based association linking Government, NGOs, SHGs, and Local bodies. The Mission understands the importance of roping in people’s participation to make the activities bear fruit. All its activities would be anchored by the three cardinal principles of “People?, “Employment? and “Income Generation?. Hence the constitution of the Mission comprises officials from the entire gamut of the bamboo sector in the State including industries, forests, local self-government, rural development, agriculture, research establishment, NGOs and the State Planning Board. The State Bamboo Mission has already embarked on study to establish the baseline data pertaining to bamboo/cane in the State and to prepare an Action Plan for the next 3 years.? It is with the major thrust areas in mind that the State Bamboo Mission devised a few interventions to propel the activities taken up in the medium-term.
Kerala State Bamboo Corporation Ltd.
The Kerala State Bamboo Corporation Ltd., a government of Kerala undertaking, was established in the year 1971. Its main objectives are, to develop & promote industries based on bamboo, reed, cane and rattan, to undertake manufacture and trading of bamboo, reed, cane and rattan products, provide financial, technical, marketing or any other assistance and guidance etc. It is an ISO certified Company now.
Bamboo/Reeds industry is one of the age-old traditional industries of our state. Since inception KSBC is endeavoring for the upliftment of the socially and economically backward classes of the society by generating employment and reasonable income for them.
Kerala State Bamboo Corporation's main activity is collection of good quality reeds from Government forests and distributing these reeds to the registered mat weavers of the Corporation, throughout the State of Kerala, on credit basis and procuring woven mats made of these reeds at reasonable prices, thus providing employment and regular means of livelihood to these weaver sections of the society.
The Corporation is authorized by the Government to collect 30,000 M.T of reeds per annum from the forests.
It has 8 reed collection centers, 87 depots for distributing reeds to the weavers, and 16 reed distribution centers to supply reeds to the traditional workers.
List of Major Products/Assistance rendered by KSBC:
I. Mats and Reeds
- Reeds Collection from the Forest areas through 8 Reeds Collection Centers. Collected reeds are dispatched to 16 Reeds Distribution Centers and distributed to
- traditional workers for weaving traditional household items and 87 mats procurement depots for mat weaving.
- Collection of reeds from the Forests and distribution to the mat weavers registered in the 86 depots.
- Distributing reeds for mat-weaving through mats procurement depots by giving a subsidy of approximately Rs.1.10 per reed.
- Collecting the products (Mats) from the weavers through depots. Transporting the same to the S&D Division (Commercial Mats) and Special mats for the production of Bambooply to the Bamboo Board Factory.
II. Bamboo Board Factory
Bamboo Board Factory was established in 1985, to produce value added products using Bamboo mats as the main raw material, thus creating better employment opportunities to the traditional bamboo workers who mostly belong to economically backward classes. Commercial production started in 1990, in single shift and by 1993, due to increased market demand for Bambooply, additional production over and above the targeted production fixed between the Management and the Unions was there. In 1998, the second shift was started and the daily production was doubled. Now 21,500 square feet (1998 Sq. meter) of Bambooply on 4 mm basis is produced daily on an average in normal conditions of working.
Bambooply
Bambooply is manufactured in various sizes and thickness such as 6'x3' (1.83mtsx0.92mts), 6'x4' (1.83mtsx1.22mts) and 8'x4' (2.44mtsx1.22mts) and in 3 mm, 4mm, 6mm, 9mm and 12mm thickness respectively. . 3 mm and 4mm thickness Boards are manufactured using only Bamboo mats and are known as Bamboo Mat Boards, whereas 6 mm and higher thickness Boards use, Bamboo mats and Veneer in between. These Boards are known as Bamboo Veneer Composites. Both these Boards conform to the standards as per IS: 13958/94 and IS: 14588/99 which was tested by National Test House, Mumbai. This is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company. The main uses of Bambooply are for paneling, ceiling, partitions, furniture, cots, doors, car-door panels, auto-body building etc. The main properties of Bambooply are water resistance, heat resistance and termite resistance, which make it equivalent to good quality Marine plywood, and in eco-friendly. Bambooply sales mainly in Kerala through about 100 dealers. The product is superior quality, wood/plywood substitute, marine grade boards. Availed in sizes 6'x3', 6'x4', 8'x4', thickness-3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 9mm & 12 mm. Termite Resistant, Water Resistant and Heat Resistant. Product has been exported to Keneya, & Maldives. Now sold in Karnataka State through KSSIDC as our Consignment Sale Agency and in Bangalore through dealers. Shortly starting sales in Tamil Nadu at Coimbatore, Salem, Karur etc.
Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI)
The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) established in 1975 by the Government of Kerala under its Science and Technology Department, is an organization dedicated to research in tropical forestry and biodiversity. During 2003, when the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) was constituted, KFRI became a part of the Council along with five other R&D Centers of the State. KSCSTE is an autonomous body under the Science, Technology & Environment Department of the Government of Kerala.
The administration and management of KFRI are vested with the management Committee (MC) chaired by the Institute's Director. The Committee approves and monitors research activities besides managing administrative and financial matters. Another vital body responsible for overseeing and guiding the formulation and implementation of various research programmes is the Research Council (RC) comprising eminent scientists of the Country in forestry research. Research Council also monitors the quality and content of research undertaken and provides guidance for improvement.
KFRI is organized into six Programme Divisions they are: 1. Sustainable Natural and Plantation Forest Management, 2. Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, 3. Forest Protection, 4. Forest Utilization, 5. Forestry and Human Dimensions, and 6. Forest Information Management System. The supporting Divisions include: 1. Instrumentation, 2. Extension and Training, and 3. Library and Information. A Research Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) Unit is also functioning to facilitate and monitor research in various Disciplines.
Bambusetum: Live-collection of over 65 native and exotic bamboo species of the world. The KFRI Bambusetum has 63 species of bamboos from all over India; a few exotic species of bamboos are also available in the live collection. Of these, 55 species are in the Field Research Centre, (FRC) Velupadam and the remaining 8 species (3 of them yet to be identified) suitable for high elevation area, are at Devikulam, Munnar.
Activities supported by NMBA:
- Treatment facilities (pressure + non-pressure) being inducted at, Uravu, Wynad (Kerala).? The unit has been commissioned on 23 January.
- 200 TPA of pulverized bamboo dust and 150 TPA of charcoal. Total cost of the project is 104.00 lakhs, out of which NMBA contribution is Rs.62.00 lakhs. Machinery and equipments have been installed and the unit is operational.
-
Treated bamboo props for banana cultivation being investigated in Kerala (Wynad district) with URAVU and KFRI, Peechi.
>>? |
The project objectives are to increase the life of bamboo culms (4 species – Bambusa bambos, Dendrocalamus strictus, Dendrocalamus brandisii and Dendrocalamus stocksii) used as banana props, and the incomes of bamboo cultivators. Both pressure and non-pressure treatment methods will be used and the treated culms evaluated under field conditions. |
- The expansion of the unit for bamboo ply board has been completed in January’08.? The IODL hot press funded by NMBA has been completed.? The expansion and modernization programmed has inducted bamboo processing machinery and technology for flattered bamboo board with an incremented increase of 200 mats (16mm) per day.? Further as part of product diversification & modernization & to provide cost effective uninterrupted supply of raw material, KSBC is implementing four feeding centers at different parts of the state close to bamboo availability.? The accumulated waste at feeding centers will be utilized to manufacture briquettes as value addition and waste management.? The feeder units are being located at Kuttampuzha (Ernakulam district), Palakkad, Kozhikkode and Malappuram.
- Preparation of a data base in the form of an annotated bibliography of bamboo literature. Since published in CD form and disseminated by KFRI Peechi
- Field identification keys for commercially significant species, the objective of this study was to prepare and disseminate field identification keys, supported by illustrations and photograph, for commercially important bamboo species.? The information collected under this study has since been incorporated in The Bamboo Book, published by the Mission.
- The KSBC product mix has not changed substantially for 25 years. A manufacturing line for mat roofing being worked upon, with induction of multi-daylight high pressure press (3,000 tones), moulds, resin kettle, band dryers, thermic fluid heating system, chemical fluid storage tanks & resin applicators. KSBC has proposed induction of technology for flattened bamboo board and Bamboo Mat Corrugated Sheet (BMCS) at Kerala State Bamboo Corporation (KSBC) unit Angamaly. Subsequent assessment of the requirements to induct above facility was carried out by the NMBA consultant, lead to finalization of incremental machinery and equipments for a viable production capacity of the BMCS (190 sheets per day) and Flattened Bamboo Board.
- Technique enhancing starch hydrolysis, developed in association with KFRI, for post harvest protection of bamboo from insect borers. Research concluded the?? storage of bamboo culms under warmer storage sheds and steeping of culms in dilute solution of amylase enzyme for post harvest storage of bamboo culms.
|
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
|
|