The problem

Madi, a buffer zone of Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal, is a valley situated in the foothills of the Chure region. Unlike other tourist places in the buffer zones of CNP such as Sauraha, the inhabitants of Madi – where majority belong to the Tharu ethnic group indigenous to the valley – have had little opportunity to economically benefit from the conservation. Further, the Riu Khola river bordering Madi and CNP, along with other rivers is threatening the village with recurring flood events. As a result of river erosion and flood-led sand and silt deposition, arable land on the edge of river banks have become unfit for cultivation. This has not only hampered the agricultural production of the farmers but has their livelihoods.

The solution

Bamboo plays a crucial role in land restoration, biodiversity conservation , and livelihood generation due to its extensive root system, phenomenal growth rate, unparalleled strength and historical cultural association. In 2010, we conducted an experiment on around 2 hectares of land, which was completely destroyed by the flood, to demonstrate how bamboo plantation can rehabilitate the land. Ten years later, the area has transformed into a vibrant bamboo forest. Hundreds of farmers have joined hands with us to transform degraded land into productive and fruitful land. We have spread the activity over 1,000 meters of the river bank. The bamboo forests have also provided habitation for a plethora of birds. Moreover, this pilot project has demonstrated that biodiversity conservation, sustainable production and livelihood genration can go hand-in-hand.

From the bamboo derived from this plantation, we mobilised the Chepang and Tharu communities to create a bamboo-based economy. With the bamboo produced in this area, the team is creating furniture, woven bags, bicycles, and phenomenal architecture that has won international awards.

The method

This innovative solution uses local resources to cater to modern needs. It has integrated design elements in both backward and forward linkages, whereby people are able to look at local issues from a problem-solving perspective.

For instance, we are developing innovative ways to make embankments by bundling live bamboo, which naturally stick to river banks with its pointed branches. These bundles, which we call porcupines due to their pointy branches, grab onto soil deposits and transform into a live bamboo plantation in a few years. In the meantime, these entangled branches will work as a trap to deposit sand and clay to prevent them from reaching the fertile land.

In few years when the bamboos mature, we process them to create a range of products – furniture, bags, and housing materials. We have developed a craft-based economy where local Chepang and Tharu youths are mobilised to create products that have an international appeal. We have innovated various processes of joints, treatment, weaving and application to bamboo, so they are durable, aesthetic and marketable.

The results