Bamboo Scenario of Jorhat District of Assam

A massive survey of demand and supply of bamboo in Jorhat District of Assam was conducted. The whole district was divided into 6 developmental blocks. Stratified sampling technique was used in the study. There are only three bamboo species viz. Jati (Bambusa tulda), Bhaluka (Bambusa balcooa), and Mokal (Bambusa nutans) being exploited in the district. Percentage-wise consumption of Jati, Bholuka and Mokal is 53, 40 and 7% respectively. Maximum bamboo is consumed in construction of houses followed by construction of fence, repair of house, firewood, etc. Total supply and consumption of bamboo is found to be 5,36,337 and 4,42,886 tonnes per year. About 17 % i.e. 9,351 tonnes of bamboo is surplus in the district. The excess amount is sold in local market or to paper mills. Demand of bamboo for local goods, plywood, incense stick and paper pulp is increasing. There is ample scope to increase the productivity through genetic improvement and management practices.