BAMBOO

Introduction :
Bamboo is a composite material that occurs and thrives in many regions
worldwide. It is treated as a composite material because it has cellulose fibers
embedded in a lignin matrix. As a cheap and fast-growing resource with superior
physical and mechanical properties, bamboo offers great potential as an
alternative to wood. Bamboo can be used as a substitute for wood, plastics, and
other materials in structural and product applications through improvements in
processing technologies and product innovation with the application of scientific
and engineering skills. The bamboo-based industry has vast potential for
generating income and employment, especially in rural areas. Bamboo offers
various commercial and domestic products due to its excellent mechanical,
physical, and chemical properties.1 Bamboo plays a crucial role in supporting the
livelihoods of approximately 2.5 billion individuals globally, with a significant
portion being tribal communities, forest dwellers, and those reliant on forest
resources. In India alone, around 2 million traditional artisans rely on bamboo
for their sustenance, engaging in activities like harvesting, processing, adding
value, and marketing bamboo products like baskets, mats, and handicrafts. One
of the key strengths of bamboo lies in its versatility, enabling small
entrepreneurs to craft a diverse range of products without requiring substantial
initial investments. 2
Bamboo production in Vidarbha:
The total area under forest and bamboo in Maharashtra was 947992 hectares
and 474915 hectares. The highest forest area in Maharashtra State under the
circle of Gadchiroli i.e.523569 ha. The highest area under bamboo was 330580
ha. The total geographical area of the Vidarbha Region (combining Amravati
division and Nagpur division) was 9,723,300 hectares. Within this region, the
areas designated for forest, cultivation, net sowing, cultivable wasteland,
current fallow, and other fallow were 2,678,100 hectares, 5,643,300 hectares,
4,958,300 hectares, 203,200 hectares, 274,000 hectares, and 146,200 hectares
respectively.3
Bamboo production in India:

1
https://doi.org/10.1177/097324700800400312
2
https://fsi.nic.in/isfr-2021/chapter-8.pdf
3
https://tinyurl.com/yvnv82p5
India boasts a diverse array of bamboo species, with approximately 125
indigenous and 11 exotic varieties spanning 23 genera. These versatile plants
thrive in the deciduous and semi-evergreen forests of the Northeastern region,
as well as the tropical moist deciduous forests in Northern and Southern India.
Among the prominent bamboo genera in India are Arundinaria, Bombusa,
Chimonobambusa, Dendrocalamus, Dinachola, and Gigantochloa. The North
Eastern States and West Bengal harbor over half of the nation's bamboo
resources. Additionally, regions such as the Andaman & Nicobar Islands,
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and the Western Ghats are recognized for their
significant bamboo populations, contributing to the rich bamboo biodiversity
across the country. 4
Ethanol & Sustainable aviation turbine fuel:
A streamlined method was developed to produce fuel ethanol from bamboo.
This process involved steps like hydrolysis with concentrated sulfuric acid,
removing color compounds, separating acid and sugar, breaking down
oligosaccharides, and continuous ethanol fermentation. The best sugar recovery
rate achieved was 81.6% under optimal conditions during sulfuric acid
hydrolysis.5 The potential for developing Sustainable Aviation Turbine Fuel (bio-
ATF) from ethanol, derived from Bamboo, presents an opportunity, with
Vidarbha emerging as a potential hub for this endeavor. Aviation fuels, essential
for powering aircraft, consist of petroleum-based fuels or blends of petroleum
and synthetic fuels. These fuels adhere to stringent requirements compared to
those used for ground applications, such as heating and road transport, often
incorporating additives to optimize fuel performance and handling
characteristics. The success and growth of bamboo products hinge on various
factors, including meeting customer demand, ensuring product quality,
managing costs, exploring widespread applications, and garnering public
acceptance on a broader scale. 6
Bamboo-based products:
As the bamboo sector has grown over the last few decades, management
practices in bamboo forests have changed. Traditionally, mixed forests
containing both bamboo and other plant species have been sources of bamboo
timber and fiber for centuries, but extraction generally occurred at a low

4
https://fsi.nic.in/isfr-2021/chapter-8.pdf
5
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21974887/
6
https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/sustainable-aviation-fuels
intensity, and the natural generation of the bamboo in the forests provided
ample supply.7 Bamboo lends itself to a wide range of products, including
musical instruments, fabrics, pulp and paper, panels, charcoal, housing,
furniture, weaving items, crafts, handicrafts, and flooring. The versatility of
bamboo allows for the creation of diverse and sustainable goods that cater to
various needs and preferences.8 9

7
Yiping and Henley (2010)
8
https://www.guaduabamboo.com/products-from-bamboo
9
https://doi.org/10.1177/097324700800400312