Global Assessment of Bamboo and Rattan for green development

Introducing gabar

We urgently need to update our information on bamboo and rattan.

There are 1642 species of bamboo and 631 known species of rattan, each with very different properties and potential uses. They fulfill very different local or regional needs in the countries where they grow, but also face diverse threats.

To make the most of bamboo and rattan, we need reliable data: about their different species and properties; where these are distributed; how they are managed; and their major challenges and opportunities.

However, existing data on global bamboo and rattan is becoming increasingly out of date, and there are no ongoing worldwide assessments which cover these resources. The last comprehensive dataset on bamboo and rattan was published in 2003. Moreover, the information that is available is not always verified with field research, meaning it may not reflect the actual ecological situation.

What is GABAR?

The Global Assessment of Bamboo and Rattan for green development (GABAR) is the first comprehensive assessment of its kind. It aims to maximise bamboo and rattan’s contribution to national economic development and environmental protection. These actions will help to better inform policies, development strategies and opportunities for investment in INBAR Member States using bamboo and rattan:

Providing better information about bamboo and rattan resources and resource development
Showing how bamboo and rattan can contribute to climate change mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy and sustainable economic development
Establishing a robust knowledge sharing network to exchange information and build on lessons learned
Laying out opportunities for donors and private investors to take part in the bamboo sector

Gabar Products and services

Activities and outputs under GABAR will include:

Providing methodologies for comprehensive assessments of bamboo and rattan species, availability, opportunities and challenges for resource development, particularly in the Global South
Creating a bamboo and rattan database including type, availability, location, management, and potential uses and technologies
Producing maps of bamboo and rattan distribution
Building national profiles of bamboo and rattan’s contribution to socio-economic development, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation and rural energy
Recommending policies and strategies for effective management and use in development, biodiversity and climate initiatives
Producing a toolkit of useful, useable reports, studies, tools and data for Member States
Answering key policy questions identified as important to INBAR stakeholders

What can Member States do?

INBAR Member States are central to GABAR’s success. Member States can contribute to GABAR by disclosing what they have incorporated in their national budgets for forest plantations and sustainable forest management, soil erosion control and land restoration, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and other relevant budget lines, and what could be earmarked from these domestic funds for sustainable bamboo and rattan assessment, management and development. GABAR is gathering momentum. So far, a number of governments have expressed interest and support for GABAR, including:

CHINA
The National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) of China has committed to take the lead in the inventory and assessment in China, and has earmarked USD 3 million to carry out this work.
ETHIOPIA
The Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia will use its Sustainable Land Management Programme to assess the potential of bamboo for land restoration, and in parallel will start a national bamboo programme.
CAMEROON
Cameroon has earmarked USD 1 million from its domestic GEF funds for land restoration with bamboo.
MADAGASCAR
Madagascar has earmarked USD 4 million domestic funding for land restoration with bamboo, as part of their national GEF priorities.
INDONESIA
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia has indicated their support for an inventory of rattan resources, and is planning inventories, establishment of plantations, seminars and workshops.
BRAZIL
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in Brazil is executing several bamboo activities with a total budget of over USD 3.5 million.

International Bamboo and Rattan Organization

International Bamboo and Rattan Organization

Global Assessment of Bamboo and Rattan for green development

Introducing gabar

We urgently need to update our information on bamboo and rattan.

What is GABAR?

Gabar Products and services

What can Member States do?

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2018-2022 Ecuador National Bamboo Strategy Guidelines for Inclusive and Green Development

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