Cabinet approves ordinance related to bamboo in non-forest

The Cabinet is learnt to have approved today an ordinance which seeks to amend the Indian Forest Act to exempt bamboo grown in non-forest areas from the requirement of felling or transit permit.
The move seeks to encourage bamboo plantations by farmers which will contribute to achieving the objective of doubling the farmers' income by 2022.
The amendment to Section 2(7) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 was approved by the Cabinet, sources said.
Bamboo grown in forest areas shall continue to be governed by the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, sources in the know of the development said.
It seeks to provide the desired equilibrium for enhancing farmers' income on one hand and protecting the environment by maintaining the areas under forests on the other hand.

Currently bamboo though taxonomically a grass is treated as tree for the purpose of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and therefore, attracts the requirement of transit permit under Section 41 of the Indian Forest Act, even if it is grown on private land.
The amendment approved today seeks to allow for free movement of bamboo and ensure that the production and the consumption centres are seamlessly integrated, sources said.