Context

A unique scientific exercise serving the combined national objectives of reducing desertification and providing livelihood and multi-disciplinary rural industry support has been initiated by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

• The project is named “Bamboo Oasis on Lands in Drought” (BOLD).

About

• The project is the first of its kind exercise in India, launched from the tribal village NichlaMandwa in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
• Under the project, special bamboo species such as Bambusa Tulda and Bambusa Polymorpha (specially brought from Assam) have been planted over the vacant arid Gram Panchayat land.
• KVIC has created a world record of planting the highest number of bamboo saplings on a single day at one location.
• Project BOLD seeks to create bamboo-based green patches in arid and semi-arid land zones.
• It is aligned with the efforts for reducing land degradation and preventing desertification in the country.
• The initiative has been launched as part of KVIC’s “Khadi Bamboo Festival” to celebrate 75 years of independence “AzadikaAmritMahotsav”.
• KVIC is set to replicate the Project at Village Dholera in Ahmedabad district in Gujarat and Leh-Ladakh region by August this year.

Why Bamboo has chosen?

• Bamboos grow very fast and in about three years, they 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.

Significance of the project

• It will help in reducing the land degradation percentage of the country.
• It will support sustainable development and food security.
• The project would support self-employment in the region.
• The projects will benefit a large number of women and unemployed youths in the region by connecting them to skill development programs.

Indian Government steps to reduce desertification PradhanMantriFasalBimaYojana (PMFBY) Soil Health Card Scheme Soil Health Management Scheme PradhanMantriKrishiSinchayeeYojna (PKSY) Per Drop More Crop forest landscape restoration (FLR) Bonn Challenge in India United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) signing