Introduction
Diminishing resources and availability of forest wood and conservation concerns have highlighted the need to identify
substitutes for traditional timbers. It is in this context bamboo assumes special significance.
Bamboo is a versatile, strong, renewable and environment-friendly material. It is a member of the grass family,
Gramineae and the fastest growing woody plant on earth. Most bamboo species produce mature fiber in 3 years, sooner
than any tree species. Some bamboos grow up to 1 meter a day, with many reaching Culm lengths of 25 meters or more.
Bamboo can be grown quickly and easily, and sustainably harvested in 3 to 5 years cycles. It grows on marginal and
degraded land, elevated ground, along field bunds and river banks. It adapts to most climatic conditions and soil types,
acting as a soil stabilizer, an effective carbon sink and helping to counter the greenhouse effect.
