The Bamboo and Rattan Sectors in Asia: an Analysis of ... - INBAR

and many districts in other parts of the state that were once rich in bamboo are now
without it. Approximately 55% of the total productive bamboo forests in the state
(approximately 8 600 km 2 ) have died after gregarious flowering. In the study area a
gregarious flowering episode occurred in 1985, after which bamboo felling was banned.
Some bamboo forests have regenerated in blocks.
Household bamboo requirements in the study area are high. Average
consumption in the survey blocks ranged from an average of 155 to 250 culms/year/
household. Surprisingly, even though it is difficult to get enough good quality material
from the Forest Department, farmers cultivate very little bamboo. In two of the blocks,
less than 20% of the people cultivate bamboo on field embankments (bunds), while
in one block as many as 40% do so. The reasons given for not cultivating are the
difficulty of controlling the spread of bamboo and competition with crop plants for
water, light and nutrients.
A large number of people extract bamboo from the forest (more than 70% in
several villages) though it is illegal. About 22-29% gets bamboo from depots and a
few (5-15%) buy from open markets. The Forest Department has a distribution system
for supplying bamboo to different types of users through its chain of depots. Different
groups are categorized as:
● Nistars (right holders) ---- people living in and near forests are supplied with
bamboos for their domestic needs at concession rates. A family is theoretically
entitled to up to 250 culms/year at Rs 0.25 per culm plus extraction cost and
forest surcharge 10 (US$1 = Rs 35.86).
● Basods ---- traditional craft workers who earn their livelihood by making
bamboo articles such as baskets, mats, containers, fans, etc. and selling them
in local markets. A registered Basod family is entitled to get 1 500 bamboo
culms/year at Rs 0.60 (plus surcharge).
● Pan barejas (betel growers) ---- agriculturists who grow betel vines need bamboo
to construct support and shade structures for the betel vine. After satisfying
the above groups, and depending on availability, every Pan bareja may get
up to 1 000 culms at a cost of Rs 1.50 plus extra charges.
● Other consumers may purchase up to 50 culms of bamboo each year from
the Forest Department at rates ranging from Rs 4.60 to 13.75, depending on
the culm size. Consumers who use more than 500 culms/year are required
to register and pay a registration fee. They are differentiated into several
categories. Some users (e.g. agarbatti manufacturers, fruit growers) can buy
up to 5 notional tons (1 notional ton = 0.8 ton) of 1 to 2 m pieces at a time
at the rate of Rs 1 115/ton.
10 A new policy took effect as of 1 January 1997, under which Nistars are no longer entitled to forest
products, but must purchase them as needed from local markets at prevailing prices.
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