KVIC’s Project BOLD to Boost Tribals’ Income and Bamboo-based Economy in Rajasthan

Source: PIB

What is the News?

Khadi and Village Industries Commission(KVIC) has launched a project named Bamboo Oasis on Lands in Drought(BOLD) in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

About Project BOLD:

• Project BOLD seeks to create bamboo-based green patches in arid and semi-arid land zones of the country. It aims at reducing land degradation and preventing desertification in the country.
• As part of the project, 5000 saplings of bamboo species – Bambusa Tulda and Bambusa Polymorpha specially brought from Assam – have been planted over 16 acres of vacant arid Gram Panchayat land in Rajasthan.
• Further, the KVIC is set to replicate the Project at Village Dholera in Ahmedabad district in Gujarat and Leh-Ladakh region.

Significance of the Project:

• Firstly, the Project has created a world record of planting the highest number of bamboo saplings on a single day at one location.
• Secondly, the Project will help in reducing the land degradation percentage of the country.
• Thirdly, the project will give a boost to self-employment in the region.

Why was Bamboo chosen for the Project? KVIC has chosen bamboo for developing green patches because:

• Bamboos grow very fast and in about three years’ time and could be harvested.
• Bamboos are also known for conserving water and reducing evaporation of water from the land surface, which is an important feature in arid and drought-prone regions.