World Bamboo Day

Bangladesh is eighth in the world in bamboo production. According to the Global Bamboo Resources Report of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Bangladesh currently ranks 8th in the world with 33 species of bamboo in terms of species diversity and productivity. Note that Bangladesh is a member of the International Bamboo and Cane Association. The importance of bamboo is immense. More than 1000 types of commercial products have already been made from bamboo. Bamboo is called poor man's wood. The versatile uses of bamboo are countless.

Bamboo is placed crosswise over the death body in the grave. A mat made of bamboo is spread over it. So that the soil does not fall on the dead body. Bangladesh Forest Research Institute is doing regular research on bamboo. Bamboo Although a woody evergreen plant, bamboo is a type of grass. That is, bamboo is the largest member of the grass family. Therefore, besides the forest department, everyone including the agriculture department can work with bamboo. Hence, Bamboo Development Corporation can be formed at the national level. Under which there may be different Bamboo Mission. Such as bamboo production, processing, makinging of various products, sales and promotion, export, and research etc. As a result, agriculture and industry can benefit in parallel. Foreign currency can also be earned.

According to the United Nations Trade Database and the International Bamboo and Cane Organization, Bangladesh earned USD 704,000.00 in foreign exchange from the export of bamboo shoots in 2015. According to the International Bamboo and Rattan Network, Bangladesh could become a billion-dollar international market to produce eco-friendly construction materials. Where bamboo and bamboo products can be a key component to meet domestic demand. It should be noted that bamboo has made a huge contribution in the construction of Rohingya camp, the longest shelter in the world. Therefore, IOM is working closely with Forest Research Institute in Bangladesh to improve the quality and sustainability of this promising product.

Climate of Bangladesh is favorable for bamboo cultivation. But due to lack of appropriate scientific data knowledge and cooperation at the field level, social bamboo cultivation on a commercial basis is not being observed much. Therefore, with the aim of increasing bamboo production, our commitment on World Bamboo Day can be to take programs on bamboo cultivation and bamboo products nationwide on a comprehensive basis. Also, due to the high level of carbon dioxide absorption, bamboo is attractive to all nationally as a valuable eco-friendly product to protect the environment.