1. Reclaiming degraded land Using bamboo to reclaim old brickfields in India

2. The location Villagers in the district situated near Bamrauli Airport in Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India have been leasing their land to brick manufacturers to excavate for bricks. The soil in the confluence of the rivers near Allahabad is good for brick making.

3. Brick Making Brick making involves excavating about 3 metres of the suitable soil.

4. Results of brick-making The end of agricultural production Loss of income to farmers Out-migration of people to crowded cities. Pollution Dust storms

5. The problems to be solved The land is lower; drainage is interrupted Revegetation is very slow The land bakes to look like Mars in summer

6. The solution An integrated land-use planning and rehabilitation project combined with increased local self-help and training.

7. Bamboo Six species of bamboo were tried (based on previous research experience) -Bambusa bambos -Bambusa vulgaris -Dendrocalamus strictus -Dendrocalamus asper -Dendrocalamus giganteus -However B. bambos and D. strictus were the most successful

8. Bamboo Nursery A bamboo nursery was quickly established to make large numbers of plants available.

9. Results Bamboo quickly created a canopy Cutting down dust storms and moisture loss And recreating a living soil

10. Results for people

11. Revitalised industries Training has established small scale industries based on bamboo.

12. New ideas The shade created works very well with agroforestry crops

13. Bamboo into milk Villagers found that bamboo was a good source of fodder for livestock; thus creating another new income source.

14. Land reclaimed; a replicable model and a revitalised local economy