World Bamboo Day

World Bamboo Day was declared to be celebrated in 2009 by the Thai Royal Forest Department at the 8th World Bamboo Congress every year on September 18. World Bamboo Day aims to raise awareness about this fast-growing plant. Today the day is recognized by the World Bamboo Organization and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).The United Nations has declared 2021 to 2030 as the “Decade on Ecosystem Restoration” – a massive global overcoming decade to mobilize the political and financial support needed to restore deforestation and degraded ecosystems called for action.

Bamboo is resilient and adaptable – it has immense biodiversity as bamboo species can rehabilitate land, their unique characteristics of quick growth, extensive root systems, pioneer spirit can reduce erosion, stabilize slopes, heavy metals they can absorb, provide shelter to wildlife, recycle carbon dioxide and clean the air. So, on basis on above facts, planting and managing sustainable bamboo forests provides many social benefits like as rural development (improved housing), agroforestry products (which include nutritional food and alternative fiber), with the huge bonus of climate mitigation. Bamboo leaves have been used in traditional medicine to treat high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, heart disease, and some types of cancer. These therapeutic properties most likely result from their antioxidant capacity. World Bamboo Day 2023 is a celebration of the most versatile and sustainable natural resources on the planet. It is one of the fastest growing plants on earth and has the potential to become a sustainable alternative to many of the materials we use today.

Dr. Permod Kumar

Department of Botany, KVSCOS