New Delhi: Since 2009, people worldwide have observed World Bamboo Day on September 18. The day was established at the 8th World Bamboo Congress in Bangkok in 2009 and declared by the Thai Royal Forest Department. It is a dedicated day to promote the use of bamboo in everyday products and raise awareness of its benefits.
In January 2016, the World Bamboo Organization became a part of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest sustainability initiative. By doing so, they committed to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligning with the aims of the UNGC. Let’s look at some important uses of bamboo on this day.
Uses of bamboo
Bamboo has been used for a wide range of purposes for many years. It has been a common material in Asia and other regions where it grows naturally. Now, Europe and the US also recognise the benefits of using bamboo instead of cotton and hardwood. Bamboo is used in clothing, construction, furniture, food, medicine, etc. Its versatility has made it a popular choice in the modern world.
Bamboo is used in many ways
Housing: Over one billion people live in bamboo houses. UNESCO says 70 hectares of bamboo can build 1,000 houses, saving trees.
Roads and bridges: Bamboo reinforces roads in India and supports 16-tonne trucks on bridges in China.
Medicine: In China, black bamboo treats kidney, venereal, and cancer diseases. In Indonesia, it is used to treat bone diseases.
Clothing: Bamboo fabric is strong, breathable, and moisture-wicking. However, the process of making the bamboo fabric into Rayon is unsustainable.
Accessories: Bamboo makes jewellery like necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
Food: Bamboo shoots are used in Asian cuisine and have antioxidant properties that prevent bacterial growth.
Fuel: Bamboo charcoal is used for cooking fuel and produces bamboo vinegar, which has many applications.
Scaffolding: Bamboo scaffolding is eco-friendly and cost-effective, and it is preferred over metal scaffolding in Hong Kong.
Furniture: Bamboo is used to make beds, chairs, and tables.
Rugs and textiles: Bamboo rugs provide an alternative to using exotic woods like mango for Oriental rugs, saving trees.
Paper: Bamboo pulp is used in printing and writing papers in China, Myanmar, Thailand, and India.
Nappies: Bamboo cloth retains its antibacterial quality even after 50 washes.
Utensils and tableware: Cups, saucers, spoons and ladles can be made from bamboo.
Bamboo is a type of grass that grows from its roots. There are over 1,000 bamboo species, and when cut, bamboo quickly grows back. Most species mature in 3-5 years. Bamboo is hardy and grows well in tropical and temperate environments without pesticides or herbicides. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
