The project was launched by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) & BSF have launched Project BOLD in Jaisalmer to Prevent Desertification and Support Rural Economy. Under this, they have planted 1000 bamboo saplings.

Background:

=> Please note that recently KVIC launched Project BOLD in the tribal village of Nichla Mandwa in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

=> Under this, 5000 saplings of special bamboo species – BambusaTulda and BambusaPolymorpha specially brought from Assam – were planted in vacant arid Gram Panchayat land.

=> With this, KVIC created a world record of planting the highest number of bamboo saplings on a single day at one location.

About the Project BOLD:

1. BOLD stands for Bamboo Oasis on Lands in Drought.

2. Launched by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

3. The initiative has been launched as part of KVIC’s “Khadi Bamboo Festival” to celebrate 75 years of independence “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”.

4. Objectives: To create bamboo-based green patches in arid and semi-arid land zones, To reduce desertification and provide livelihood and multi-disciplinary rural industry support.

Why Bamboo was chosen?

Bamboos grow very fast and in about three years’ time, they could be harvested.Bamboos are also known for conserving water and reducing evaporation of water from the land surface, which is an important feature in arid and drought-prone regions.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission:

=> KVIC is a statutory body established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956.

=> The KVIC is charged with the planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programmes for the development of Khadi and other village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.

=> It functions under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.