Do you know which tree is called 'green gold of India'?

Do You Know Which Tree is Called 'Green Gold of India'? (Image: Canva)

All treasures are not unearthed from the ground or extracted from hills. Some are tall and sway with the breeze, holding promise for farmers, artisans, and the environment as well. One such treasure in India is lovingly referred to as the "green gold".

Why is bamboo known as India's green gold?

Bamboo is appreciated because of its multitude of applications. From building to crafts, furniture to packaging, it sustains both everyday life and enterprises. Farming communities and craftsmen depend on it for livelihood, and with its rapid growth and easy replenishment, it is essential to the environment. Its capacity for soil conservation and rehabilitation contributes to its image. That is why bamboo enjoys the name “green gold” in India.

What role does the National Bamboo Mission play?
The National Bamboo Mission promotes bamboo production and the processing and value addition of bamboo. It also provides market access for farmers and small industries. The mission bridges states and regions and makes India's bamboo economy strong. Assam and Madhya Pradesh are the top producers, and bamboo is much ingrained in the culture and livelihood of these areas.

How has policy change helped bamboo growers?
Earlier, bamboo was treated as a forest product, limiting access for farmers. A policy change placed bamboo under agriculture instead. This move gave cultivators and entrepreneurs freedom to grow, harvest, and trade bamboo more easily.  It also created new avenues for taking cultivation to scale and for stimulating rural economies.

How is World Bamboo Day related to India?

World Bamboo Day, celebrated annually on 18 September, honours bamboo's contribution to sustainability, livelihood, and culture. The theme for 2025 is "Next Generation Bamboo: Solution, Innovation, and Design," highlighting how bamboo can contribute to climate solutions and new-age innovation. India features prominently in this commemoration, with missions and policies identifying bamboo as an important resource for the economy and environment.

India's "green gold" is not merely a resource. It is culture, livelihood, and sustainability, grounded in tradition but opening doors for modern innovation.