Most developing countries and LDCs are in the tropical and equatorial regions of the world. These regions also happen to be rich in forest and natural resources. However, due to unsustainable exploitation of these resources, mostly for exports to developed countries, has led to large-scale land degradation. Current UN estimates suggest upto 30 percent (!) of the available land in the world is degraded..mostly in poorer countries. I hope the Aid for Trade program takes this issue seriously. Sustainable trade is the ONLY option and en masse land restoration projects needs to be funded. Bamboo-based forestry of degraded lands, that grows endemically across the tropical and equatorial regions, can play a crucial role in reclaiming wastelands. Bamboo also has a greater socio-economic role and can uplift communities through sustainable trade in bamboo-based products.
