The Centre has promulgated Indian Forest (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 to encourage bamboo cultivation in non-forest areas. The ordinance exempts bamboo grown in non-forest areas from the definition of a tree, thereby dispensing with the requirement of felling and transit permit for its economic use.<br/><br/>Bamboo, though, taxonomically a grass, was legally defined as a tree under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. Before this amendment, provisions of the Indian Forest Act was a major impediment for bamboo cultivation by farmers in the non-forest land. The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the promulgation of the Ordinance in this regard. <br/>'<br/>Minister of Environment Dr Harsh Vardhan said with the removal of legal and regulatory hardships, it will create a viable option for the cultivation of 12.6 million hectares of cultivable wasteland. <br/><br/>The measure will go a long way in enhancing the agricultural income of farmers and tribals, especially in North-East and Central India. He said bamboo grown in the forest areas shall continue to be governed by the provisions of Indian Forest Act