‘BOLD’ Initiative to fight Land Degradation & Desertification

• 07 Jul 2021

A project named “Bamboo Oasis on Lands in Drought” (BOLD), first of its kind exercise in India was launched on 4th July 2021 from the tribal village Nichla Mandwa in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

• The project has been launched as part of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) “Khadi Bamboo Festival” to celebrate 75 years of independence “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”.

Aim of the Project

• Project BOLD seeks to create bamboo-based green patches in arid and semi-arid land zones.
• This unique scientific exercise is aimed at serving the combined national objectives of reducing desertification and providing livelihood and multi-disciplinary rural industry support.
• It is also aimed at boosting Tribals’ income and create infrastructure for Bamboo-based economy.

About the Program

• 5000 saplings of special bamboo species – Bambusa Tulda and Bambusa Polymorpha specially brought from Assam – have been planted over 25 bigha (16 acres approx) of vacant arid Gram Panchayat land.
• In this way, KVIC also created a world record of planting the highest number of bamboo saplings on a single day at one location.

Why Bamboo?

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

Next Two Places where this will be Replicated

• KVIC is set to replicate the Project at Village Dholera in Ahmedabad district in Gujarat and Leh-Ladakh region by August this year. Total 15,000 bamboo saplings will be planted before August 21.