Hyderabad: The Green India Challenge has launched a pilot bamboo plantation project in Adilabad district to support the traditional livelihoods of the Kolam tribes, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in Telangana.
Spearheaded by former Rajya Sabha MP Joginpally Santosh Kumar, the initiative spans five acres in Mullalagutta 2 village of Adilabad rural mandal. The site was donated by local philanthropist Tekam Rao Ji Patel. The project aims to address bamboo scarcity, which has severely impacted over 6,000 Kolam families dependent on bamboo crafts for their income and cultural practices.
Due to restricted access to forest resources, Kolam families have been forced to walk 7â10 kilometres daily to collect limited bamboo culms, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by middlemen. The new plantation is designed to serve as a sustainable bamboo nursery and cultivation hub tailored to the regionâs environmental conditions.
Green India Challenge bamboo initiative aligns with National Bamboo Mission
According to GIC officials, 50% of the plantation work has been completed, using bamboo species suited to the local soil and climate. The project is supported by forest department experts and GIC volunteers. Once mature, the plantation is expected to yield thousands of bamboo culms annually, creating a dependable raw material base for tribal artisans.
The initiative also promotes bamboo as a fast-growing, eco-friendly resource that aids carbon sequestration, soil regeneration, and rural income generation. Future phases of the project will include training in advanced bamboo craftsmanship and establishing direct market linkages to eliminate exploitative intermediaries.
Joginpally Santosh Kumar described the project as a move to restore dignity and self-reliance among tribal communities. âThis is not just about planting bambooâitâs about planting hope and restoring dignity,â he said.
Local artisan Atram Jangu welcomed the initiative, stating that the nearby plantation would allow Kolam children to stay in their village, learn traditional skills, and contribute to the family income with dignity.