https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Bamboo: The Green Gold Transforming South Betul

In South Betul, a bamboo revolution led by IFS Officer Vejaynantham TR is transforming barren lands and boosting local farmers' incomes. Discover how this visionary initiative is revitalizing communities.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, the South Betul Forest Division is witnessing a transformation driven by a visionary IFS officer, Vejaynantham TR. As the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Vejaynantham has spearheaded an innovative initiative to promote bamboo cultivation in local villages. This initiative, part of his broader ‘Van Vikas se Gram Vikas’ (Forest Development for Village Development) campaign, is bringing tangible and intangible benefits to the region, significantly enhancing the lives of local farmers.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the officer shared details about the same.

THE BAMBOO REVOLUTION

Traditionally, farmers in the region cultivated long-rotation species like teak, which took years to yield benefits. Recognizing the need for a faster return on investment and sustainable forest management, Vejaynantham introduced bamboo cultivation.

Bamboo, a fast-growing grass species, offers a myriad of benefits, including soil moisture conservation, groundwater recharge, river rejuvenation, and cleaner air and water. However, its tangible benefits are particularly noteworthy.

HARVESTING SUCCESS IN CHICHDANA VAN SAMITI

In a groundbreaking effort, the South Betul Forest Division, under Vejaynantham’s guidance, selected a thriving bamboo plantation in Chichdana Van Samiti for a pilot project. The initiative involved conducting bamboo cleaning operations, a crucial step in ensuring the health and productivity of bamboo plants.

“Without regular thinning, bamboo clusters can become overcrowded, leading to competition for sunlight and resources, ultimately causing many poles to die prematurely,” he stated.

The results of this operation were impressive. The cleaning yielded approximately 15,000 bamboo poles, which were sold at market rates, generating around three lakh rupees for the Samiti.

This revenue provides the community with funds for essential development activities, such as renovating schools and improving water facilities, showcasing the direct economic benefits of bamboo cultivation.

THE CRUX OF JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT

The success of the bamboo initiative in Chichdana Van Samiti is a testament to the principles of Joint Forest Management (JFM). JFM emphasizes community involvement in forest conservation and sustainable use of forest resources.

By promoting bamboo plantations in encroached forest areas, the initiative not only restores degraded lands but also provides immediate benefits to the community. This approach ensures that the local population sees the value of conservation and actively participates in it.

“Bamboo is one such species that can grow to their full capacity in just 4-5 years and with community participation, helps us to protect the forests. The bamboo production in new cultivation zones will be completely given to the community and in case, it is growing in an already protected dense forest, then 20% of the revenue generated from the production will be given to the villagers, in order to acknowledge them for already protecting the forest from before, by being involved in bamboo plantation,” he shared with Indian Masterminds.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

The journey to successful bamboo cultivation was not without challenges. Initially, many communities harvested bamboo prematurely, which reduced potential revenue and compromised the health of the bamboo stands.

“The main challenge was to convince the community to let it grow fully by following the proper procedure in order to get the maximum revenue out of it,” he shared.

Vejaynantham and his team engaged in extensive community outreach and education to address this issue. They emphasized the importance of allowing bamboo poles to mature fully before harvesting. This approach, combined with the visible success in Chichdana, gradually convinced other communities to adopt better practices.

A LEGACY OF FOREST AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The bamboo initiative in South Betul is not a recent development. Its roots trace back 10-15 years when the forest department identified degraded areas for rehabilitation through bamboo plantations.

Local communities played a crucial role in this effort, cultivating and protecting the land, leading to the restoration of healthy forests. Today, these efforts are bearing fruit, with thriving bamboo forests providing economic and environmental benefits.

A BRIGHT FUTURE

During a recent field visit, IFS officer Vejaynantham witnessed the impressive growth of bamboo poles in the region. Interacting with locals, he learned about their dedication to protecting and nurturing the forest. The biodiversity of the area has increased, soil erosion has decreased, and the community now enjoys a steady revenue stream from bamboo sales.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CM Yogi Adityanath UP government
CM Yogi’s Vision: UP Signs MoU with NDDB to Revamp Dairy Sector, Boost Farmer Income
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) Awards
Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) Clinches Twin Honours with Best CMA CFO & Cost Excellence Titles at CMA Awards 2024 for Financial Leadership
Jharia coalfield region
Rs 5,940-Cr Jharia Plan Cleared: Govt to Provide Livelihood Grant, Credit Support to Displaced Families - Sustainable Rehabilitation
NALCO Initiative
Powering Performance: NALCO Launches High-Strength IA90 Alloy Ingot, Targeting India’s Growing Auto Sector - Details Inside
Union Bank of India UBI
Union Bank Board Clears ₹6,000 Cr Capital Raise; ₹3,000 Cr via Equity, ₹3,000 Cr via Bonds
IRCTC
Leadership Update: Mukesh Saini Appointed as Chief Regional Officer at IRCTC Jaipur
THDC-resized
Energy Innovation Boost: THDCIL Signs Landmark Agreement with Gujarat for 184 MW from Tehri Pumped Storage Plant
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services (IAS)
Centre Flags IAS Officer’s OBC Certificate, Maharashtra Government Ordered to Probe
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Why Has the DGCA Fined Air India Rs 5 Crore Since Privatisation?
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
Iran Is Weakest Now, Needs a Face-Saver
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
Retired Officers Lead 7-Day Mission to Revive Betwa River with 55 Check Dams | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Sanish Kumar Singh
“If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way,” Sanish Kumar Singh AIR 8, UPSC IFS 2024 
The real interview, he says, was much more humane. “The board was conversational. The chairman opened...
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-18 at 10.31
"I Just Wanted to Breathe Again": The Man Who Fought Death and Made It to UPSC
Struck by COVID at the peak of his UPSC prep, Devanand Telgote spent months on ECMO, unsure he'd live,...
Social Media
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CM Yogi Adityanath UP government
CM Yogi’s Vision: UP Signs MoU with NDDB to Revamp Dairy Sector, Boost Farmer Income
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) Awards
Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) Clinches Twin Honours with Best CMA CFO & Cost Excellence Titles at CMA Awards 2024 for Financial Leadership
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT