The implementation of projects on bamboo development and bio-fuels is estimated to create 2.2 crore (22 million) new jobs by 2012 besides conserving Rs 830 crore (Rs 8,300 million) in foreign exchange annually.
According to reports on bio-fuel and bamboo development, presented to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K C Pant, the plantation of Jatropha, to be used as a bio-fuel, would create employment opportunities of over 450,000 during the remaining four years of the current Tenth Plan period itself, particularly in the tribal and rural areas.
The report on development of bio-fuel estimates a potential of 1.35 crore (13.5 million) additional jobs by 2012.
The first phase of the bio-fuel programme, covering the last four years of the Tenth Five Year Plan, is proposed to cover four lakh hectares of land in eight states at an estimated cost of Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15,000 million) with five lakh metric tonne of diesel expected to be produced.
Meanwhile, the report on technology and trade development for bamboo says around 86 lakh (8.6 million) new jobs could be created under the various bamboo based development programmes by 2007.
"This assessment is somewhat conservative as harvesting of bamboos from forests is likely to be affected by gregarious flowering and establishment of new bamboo-based industry will create additional jobs in the rural and urban areas," the report added.