New Delhi: Implementation of projects on bamboo development and bio-fuels is estimated to create 2.2 crore new jobs by 2012 besides conserving Rs 830 crore in foreign exchange annually.

According to reports on bio-fuels and bamboo development presented to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on July 11 by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K C Pant, plantation of jatropha plant, to be used as a bio-fuel, would create employment opportunities of over 4.5 lakh during the remaining four years of the current 10th Plan period itself, particularly in tribal and rural areas.

The report on development of bio-fuel estimates a potential of 13.5 million additional jobs by 2012.

The first phase of the bio-fuel programme covering the last four years of the 10th Five Year Plan is proposed to cover four lakh hectares of land in eight states at an estimated cost of Rs 1,500 crore with five lakh metric tonne of diesel expected to be produced.

Meanwhile, the report on technology and trade development for bamboo says around 8.6 million new jobs could be created under 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 rural and urban areas," the report said.

PTI