Bamboo occupies an important place in the cultural, social and economic fabric of Assam. A renewable and versatile resource, it grows abundantly in Assam's natural forests. It is also cultivated in homesteads, groves and in private plantations.
The important characteristics that make bamboo so useful are:
(i) It is highly renewable as it has a short growth cycle
(ii) Different parts of the plant have different uses and are obtained at different stages of its growth thus rendering the plant useful during its entire life span
(iii) Bamboo shoots of some species are edible and have high nutritional value.
(iv) The plant improves the environment in many significant ways including acting as an atmospheric and soil purifier.
(v) It is hardy, light and flexible, thus a good substitute for wood.
(vi) In the hilly and mountainous areas as well as riverbanks, it protects the slopes from erosion as an effective soil binder.
(vii) Bamboo forests are also home to many endangered wildlife including a large number of birds. For the wild elephants, endangered Hollock Gibbons and some other fauna, it forms a major part of their diet.
The northeastern states of India produces more than 60% of the country's growing stock of bamboo and Assam is one of the major sources of both naturally and home grown bamboo.
