[Assam] Tall plans to make NE bamboo a major source of revenue (The Assam Tribune, 23.02.2008)

[Buljit Buragohain]

Tall plans to make NE bamboo a major source of revenue
By A Staff Reporter
 GUWAHATI, Feb 22 – The tallest grass in the world could well become an unexpected revenue source in the Northeast if an ambitious plan makes headway. The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) has envisaged a scheme that would allow bamboo plantations to become part of a global carbon credit mechanism.

Till now the potential of bamboo plantations has not been realised as a carbon credit generator. But things could change, and the plan if successful could bring in much needed revenue to the region and its farmers.

Well-placed officials of the Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre, Guwahati told The Assam Tribune that the NBM has tied up with Emergent Ventures India, a private organisation towards “identification and feasibility assessment of all potential compliance and voluntary carbon credit generation opportunities.” 

The planned project involves plantation of bamboo on community and government lands in parts of Nagaland. Subsequently, it would be replicated in other parts of the country. 

It was stated that there were four activities where bamboo based products can potentially avail Green House Gas mitigation benefits. The activities are in Plantation Stage, Bamboo gasification for power, Bamboo gasification for thermal use and Charcoal preparation for thermal use.

The value of credits would vary according depending on the type, compliance with other standards, the year in which the credit accrue and other factors. 

In real terms, the benefits to farmers in the Northeast could be substantial because unlike other forest resources various varieties of bamboo grow in the region in natural conditions. Unlike timber, bamboo also takes much less time to mature leading to fast harvesting and replenishment. The NBM that has put special stress on plantation and processing of bamboo has set a target of planting 1,72,000 ha of bamboo in forestland of the country and another 1,72,000 ha in non-forest area by 2012. Much of the plantations would be in Northeast India, where 60 per cent of bamboo resources are located.

Under the Kyoto Protocol, Carbon credits are a key component of emission trading schemes towards reducing global warming. Credits can be exchanged between businesses or bought and sold in international markets at the prevailing market price. Credits can be also be used to finance carbon reduction schemes between trading partners and around the world.

  (The Assam Tribune,23.02.2008)



       
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