Bamboo not a tree, Rajya Sabha passes bill

TNPSC Current Affairs - December 2017 by TNPSC Guru 

Rajya Sabha passes bill that Bamboo is not a tree amending the Indian Forest Act 1927 to encourage Bamboo cultivation in Non-Forest Areas.  

Lokh Sabha already passed this bill in early December.As per the bill it will exempts bamboo grown in non-forest areas from the definition of a tree, therefore provides requirement of felling and transit permit.

Bamboo taxonomically grass, but legally defined as Tree in Indian forest Act 1927, because of this Farmers could not cultivate Bamboo in Non-forest Areas. Now the ordinance which encourage the farmers to cultivate Bamboo in Non forest areas and which enhance their income.