GIC Launches pilot bamboo plantation to empower Kolam tribes in Adilabad

Former MP Joginpally Santosh Kumar launched a pilot bamboo plantation project in Adilabad to support the Kolam tribes, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. The initiative aims to revive traditional bamboo crafts, create jobs, and ensure sustainable livelihoods for over 6,000 families.

Adilabad: Former Rajya Sabha member Joginpally Santosh Kumar said that bamboo plantation would transform the lives of the dwindling Kolam community. He, along with former Adilabad MLA J Ramanna, launched a pilot bamboo plantation project spanning five acres in Mullalagutta village of Adilabad Rural mandal on Friday. The initiative, the first of its kind, aims to address the acute bamboo shortage faced by the Kolam (Kollam) tribes, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Telangana.

“This is not just about planting bamboo,  it’s about planting hope and restoring dignity,” said Joginpally Santosh Kumar. “The artistry of the Kolam tribes deserves revival. By ensuring a sustainable bamboo supply, we can create jobs, enhance incomes, and promote self-reliance.” He added that a community event would soon be organised to complete the plantation and introduce training programmes in advanced bamboo craftsmanship.

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Aligned with the objectives of the National Bamboo Mission, the project promotes bamboo as a sustainable, fast-growing resource that supports carbon sequestration, soil restoration, and rural livelihood generation. Once mature, the plantation is expected to yield thousands of bamboo culms annually, providing a reliable and renewable resource base for tribal artisans.

For generations, the Kolam community has used bamboo to craft mats, baskets, fences, and ritual items, products integral to their economy and cultural heritage. However, stringent forest conservation rules have restricted access to natural bamboo resources, forcing tribal families to trek 7–10 kilometres daily to gather limited culms. This has pushed over 6,000 Kolam families in Adilabad into economic distress and dependence on exploitative middlemen.

Local community members hailed the project as transformative. Atram Jangu, a Kolam artisan, said, “Bamboo is our lifeline. With this plantation nearby, our children no longer need to wander in forests for resources. They can learn our craft, earn with dignity, and build better lives.”