This memo examines the current state of laws and policies that affect bamboo in India, with the goal of setting out a broad framework for reforms that would pave the way for sustainable development of the country’s bamboo sector. The first section provides an overview of the opportunities and restrictions on the sector’s growth due to India’s current forestry policy, transportation restrictions and land tenure system. The second section explores policy considerations which uniquely situate the bamboo industry to be an engine of development for the Indian economy. The third section surveys bamboo regulation in China and Southeast Asia with an eye towards highlighting comparative solutions to some of the problems currently faced by the bamboo industry in India. The final section details the framework of reforms envisioned in the goal statement.
