But it has left those concerned about future of India's dwindling forests dismayed. This was facilitated by a change in the definition of bamboo in the Indian Forest Act — from timber to grass. As timber, its management was under the control of the forest department. As grass, its cultivation, harvesting and trade will now be managed by local people under the Forest Rights Act.
The move follows recommendations of a committee headed by N C Saxena, a member of the NAC. The committee recommended gradual dismantlement of state protection of forests and handing over their management to gram sabhas. The Centre has now asked all states to redefine bamboo. The logic is that since forest dwellers have a personal stake in the forests, they would protect them better than the present forest bureaucracy. Read the full report here.
Source: The New Indian Express, Express Buzz.
