The Sleman Regency Administration is launching a regreening program by planting bamboo on unused and neglected land.

"The Sleman administration is focusing on planting bamboo on unused and neglected lands," head of the Sleman Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry office Widi Sutikno said on Monday as quoted by Antara news agency.

Aside from the neglected land, the bamboo planting is also being carried out along river embankments, he said, adding that bamboo can easily grow in arid areas.

"This planting is expected to help ensure an adequate supply of bamboo for the bamboo-based handicraft industry. Through this program Sleman is expected to no longer depend on bamboo supplies from other areas," Widi said.

Moreover the roots of bamboo are strong enough to prevent erosion along the rivers during flooding," he added.

He further explained that bamboo planting had been carried out on 30 unused and neglected hectares in 2013 and was expanded to 40 hectares last year.

Sleman Regent Sri Purnomo said that unused land in his regency covered about 1,000 hectares and 57,000 more hectares are being neglected. (hhr)(++++)

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