BAMBOO FACTS
Bamboo as a tree
It is like a woody grass
It has some 1250 species in 75 genera with varying sizes
India has the largest bamboo forests, next only to China
According to the Forest Survey of India report, 8.96 million ha (about 12.8% of total forest area) is under bamboo cultivation
It surges skyward as fast as 1.2 meters in a 24 hour period
Some species are suitable for soil stabilization, wind break, urban wastewater treatment and reduction of nitrates contamination
Potential to put a brake on the fire (create a fire line) in the traditional forests

Bamboo and its applications
Edible shoots
Building and Construction Material
Small Scale and Cottage Industries
Handicrafts
New generation products as wood substitutes
Industrial Products like activated carbon
Transportation Industry - truck bodies, railway carriages
Boards and Furniture
Medicinal Uses
Paper and Pulp Industry
Long-time source of biomass for industry

Bamboo Economy
Commercial consumption of bamboo world over is to the tune of US $ 10 Billion which is expected to reach US $ 20 Billion by 2015
Domestic bamboo economy as of now is Rs. 2043 crore while the market potential is estimated at Rs. 4463 crores
Potential growth areas are shoots, boards, paper and pulp, furniture, building and construction, road construction, etc
Current demand of bamboo is estimated at 26.69 million tons as against the supply of 13.47 million tons
Expansion of handicraft, cottage and tiny sector will create 3 million new jobs
3 million bamboo plants are produced and sold in Europe for ornamental purposes

Technology Constraints
Lack of application of known scientific methods in plantation
Post harvest treatment
Product Development
Up gradation of skill formation