The Rajya Sabha has taken up discussion on the Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in the post-lunch period.<br/><br/>Moving the bill for consideration and passing, Minister for Environment and Forest Dr Harsh Vardhan said, the bill is aimed at promoting the cultivation of bamboo in non-forest areas, improve the income of the farmers besides providing green cover to the country.<br/><br/>Initiating the discussion, Jairam Ramesh of the Congress said that he opposed the bill questioning the urgency in the issue of ordinance.<br/><br/>Mr Ramesh, who was the former Environment and Forest Minister, wanted to know whether there was any pressure from the private wood industry.<br/><br/>Countering the argument, Meghraj Jain of the BJP said, the bill is aimed at protecting the interest of farmers because this is the alternate to plastic products.<br/><br/>Bamboo is used for manufacturing of different types of products in the country which is environment-friendly.