According to the Bank’s website, the project aims to promote holistic growth of the bamboo sector by adopting area-based, regionally differentiated strategy, increasing the area under bamboo cultivation, supporting growth of nurseries to increase the availability of quality planting materials, and improving market linkages through state-level interventions by State Bamboo Missions.

The project will be aligned with the following impact(s): (i) the under-developed bamboo industry in northeast India developed, (ii) dependency on import of bamboo and bamboo products reduced through improved productivity and suitability of domestic raw material for industry, and (iii) income of the primary producers increased.

India is rich in bamboo resources, covering 14.94 million hectares. Despite its rich bamboo resources, India lags behind other countries in bamboo sector development. Bamboo is mostly limited to traditional use such as farming tools and simple handicrafts. The bamboo and rattan industry of India is worth Rs. 280 billion, which is about one-tenth of that of the People's Republic of China. India is a net importer of bamboo and bamboo products. During 2015-16 and 2016-17, the export of bamboo and bamboo products was Rs. 1.1 million and Rs. 3.2 million, respectively while the import was Rs 1,486.3 million and Rs 2,136.5 million. However, bamboo has potential for various alternative uses to generate economic activity and employment. Bamboo is also known for its powerful carbon sink capacity and has great potential for climate change mitigation and nature-based solutions to tackle socio-environmental issues.

The northeastern region is home to 3.8% of India's population. Despite its small geographical area (8% of the total land), the region contributes 23.7% of the India's total forest cover and 35.8% (5.34 million hectares) of India's bamboo resources. The region is one of the poorer parts of the country, with average poverty headcount ratio of 13.18% and average poverty intensity of 43.66% against the national averages of 14.90% and 44.39%, respectively. However, the region lags behind the mainland in trade, investment and infrastructure. Given the wide bamboo distribution in the region, this fast-growing grass plant can be a source of poverty alleviation and climate mitigation. Given the large number of women associated with the bamboo sector, the project potentially can impact women's employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the major way.

The most environmentally sensitive activity of the project is expected to be classified as Category B for environment, given the nature and scale of anticipated activities in participating states.

Environment: B
Involuntary Resettlement: C
Indigenous Peoples: B

The financing amount is $53,000,000, which will be financed on a loan basis by ADB’s ordinary capital resources.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.adb.org/forms/request-information-form

ADB has a two-stage appeals process for requesters who believe that ADB has denied their request for information in violation of its Access to Information Policy. You can learn more about filing an appeal at: https://www.adb.org/site/disclosure/appeals

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF ADB

The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main.