Kasaragod proposes bamboo model to prevent soil erosion

Kannur: The ‘Bamboo Capital’ project initiated by the Kasaragod district administration is seen as a potential model to resist floods and landslides. The model has been successfully implemented in many countries to prevent soil erosion.

The eco-friendly and economical model is yet to be effectively followed in India.

However, the recurrent flood situation and landslides might make the authorities think of the possibilities of using bamboo as a natural way to prevent such natural calamities.

Though the ‘Bamboo Capital’ project, which was mooted by Kasaragod district collector D Sajith Babu, proposed to cultivate bamboo to use it as a building material to rebuild the state after last year’s flood, it also had varied aims.

“It is scientifically proven that bamboo can prevent soil erosion and landslide apart from retaining groundwater, thus enhancing its level,” said the collector, who is a PhD holder in agronomy. As part of the pilot project, three lakh bamboo saplings have been planted in the district.

“In the next phase, another three lakh saplings will be planted. It would also provide a source of revenue for the local residents as various products can be made out of bamboo,” he said.

In order to study the impact of the bamboo cultivation, which was done with the support forest department and the public, satellite images of the cultivated areas would be taken and compared with the earlier condition in these places.

“If effectively cultivated in risk-prone areas, we would be able to prevent natural calamities considerably as it is a time-tested method,” said Kasaragod divisional forest officer (DFO) Anoopkumar P K.

“In the Philippines, where floods and landslides are a recurrent issue, a study conducted by the department of environment and natural resources (DENR) had concluded that bamboo can limit erosion, particularly large-scale sheet erosion that can lead to fatalities and damage to properties,” said an expert on the subject.