Panaji: Declaring bamboo as “the best plant in the world for carbon sequestration”, bamboo scientist Dr Bharathi Nambi on Friday outlined a roadmap to transform Goa into a carbon-neutral state through large-scale bamboo cultivation, green energy production and sustainable rural industries.
He said Goa possesses favourable climatic conditions for bamboo growth due to its biodiversity, high sunlight exposure and environmental conditions similar to parts of northeast India. “With proper scientific cultivation, bamboo can become Goa’s strongest weapon against climate change,” he said.
Nambi was speaking during a panel discussion on bamboo conservation and promotion held as part of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 event at Lok Bhavan.
Drawing attention to carbon emission figures, Nambi claimed Goa emits nearly 54 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide annually while natural systems absorb only around 5.9 lakh tonnes, leaving what he described as a significant carbon deficit.
“Bamboo plantations across nearly 40,000 hectares could help reduce emissions and support Goa’s net-zero goals,” he said, adding bamboo’s greatest strength was that it keeps on growing even after harvesting.
On bamboo’s carbon-capturing capacity, he said bamboo-based systems could sequester nearly 200 tonnes of carbon annually under ideal conditions. Slides presented during the session projected high biomass stock, biochar production and carbon absorption potential from cultivated bamboo.
Nambi also promoted bamboo as a potential green-energy crop.
He said it could be used for bio-power electricity, bio-CNG, charcoal, bio-petrol and ethanol production.
Comparing fuel yields, he said sugarcane produces around 1,200 litres of ethanol per hectare annually, maize about 7,500 litres, while bamboo can potentially yield nearly 25,000 litres per hectare. He further suggested bamboo cultivation along roadsides to create what he described as “net-zero roads” and proposed growing bamboo on abandoned mining dumps and degraded land in Goa.
Nambi urged the state to set up a dedicated Bamboo Board and establish institutional support, processing infrastructure and commercial-scale cultivation programmes. “Bamboo is not just a plant. It is an environmental and economic solution,” he said.
