KC John in a bamboo grove near his house in Kalladikode, Palakkad.
When the world is preparing to celebrate the International Bamboo Day on Thursday (September 18), a passionate advocate from Kalladikode, nearby, promotes the growing importance of the plant as “green gold” in the district.
From the environmentalist to bamboo growers, the expertise of KC John has made him a sought -after character, and people from different states turned to him to advice and bamboo support.
Put it, forget it: This is Mr. John’s mantra for bamboo enthusiasts. According to him, Bamboo has huge potential and offers economic profits, aesthetic attraction and environmental benefits.
He said that bamboo boasts an amazing 15,000 plus app and converts it into a highly sought -after “green gold”. This year it was called by more than 25 agencies and individuals from all over the country.
Mr. John said Bamboo has countless environmental benefits due to his rapid growth. It creates a microclimate and lowers temperatures by 4-5 degrees. In addition, bamboo helps maintain and increase water level, removes soil toxins and reduces dust pollution by more than 80 percent.
“The latest studies have shown that bamboo is ideal for preventing soil erosion. Bamboo is a carbon superstar: one plant absorbs 400 kg of CO2 and releases 300 kg of oxygen per year and many plants produce 35 % more oxygen,” John said.
However, it regrets that the state like Kerala could do much better for growing bamboo, whose potential remains huge. “Thanks to its potential to produce energy, biofuels such as ethanol and methanol, and other valuable products, bamboo can cause a prosperous new economy,” he said.
On Sunday last last last Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the production plant at Mega ethanol started using bamboo in Assam. Maharashtra and Assam are currently making progress in using bamboo for sustainable energy production.
Maharashtra and Assam lead a way to show the huge potential of bamboo as a sustainable source, management of economic growth, rural development and environmental sustainability throughout India.
“In fact, we could do a lot with bamboo. I’m sure the new generation will use its potential,” said Mr. John, pointing to 36 bamboo varieties he grows in his house.
Published – September 2025 21:20
