Maharashtra Plans 10,000 Hectares of Bamboo Plantations for Climate Action

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde yesterday said that the state plans to have bamboo plantations over ten thousand hectares of land in an effort to tackle climate change. Speaking at the inaugural session of ‘Environmental Sustainability Summit 2024: Harnessing bamboo’s potential for a sustainable tomorrow’, Mr. Shinde said bamboo’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide is greater than other plants, making it an effective tool to combat climate change.

Mr. Shinde further said that bamboo will be planted along the highways and even along the Eastern and Western Expressway in Mumbai. He said the demand for bamboo is likely to witness a huge rise in the future as it can be used for the production of ethanol, biomass and even in thermal plants. He added that bamboo plantations can be more profitable than sugarcane as bamboo can also be used for making a variety of interesting household items. 

The Chief Minister said subsidies for bamboo plantation will help farmers to raise their financial status while also protecting the environment.

Also present on the



occasion, Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais said Prime Minister Narendra Modi gives utmost importance to environment protection and sustainable development. Citing the examples of Ujjwala, PM- KUSUM, LED bulb distribution and the Hydrogen Mission, the Governor explained how the Centre is trying to harness green energy across sectors while reducing pollution. Stating that reducing, reusing, recycling, recovering, redesigning and reconstructing have been integral parts of India's cultural practices, Mr. Bais said he has directed universities across Maharashtra to make their campuses green and 'carbon neutral'.

The day-long summit was organised at Y B Chavan Centre in Mumbai by Phoenix Foundation in association with Maharashtra’s Environment and Climate Change Department and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. The summit saw participation from agricultural experts, environmental experts, bureaucrats and even UN officials. The discussion was centered around the pivotal role of bamboo in addressing global warming and enhancing environmental and human well-being.