Question : CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS

(a) whether the Government has notified bamboo as a tree under the Indian Forest Act, 1927;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the total estimated annual turnover of Bamboo trade and the pace at which this trade is growing in this country;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal to reclassify bamboo as a grass in order to boost the income of thousands of tribal in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a) Yes sir. Bamboo has been defined as a tree under Section 2 (7) of Indian Forest Act, 1927.

(b) It has been estimated that at present trade in value added bamboo based products is Rs. 3500 crores, which is likely to grow manifold.

(c) to (f) No such decision has been taken in this regard.