What began as a local push to tame Japan's overgrown bamboo forests has grown into something much bigger.Today, the fast-growing grass is being transformed into everything from construction materials to chic furniture pieces celebrated on the world stage.Countries as far afield as India and nations in Africa are sending envoys to see how Japan is rewriting the story of bamboo. Experts say the initiatives not only promise new industries but could also help tackle the problem of abandoned bamboo groves, which threaten to trigger landslides if left unchecked.Bamboo "may be effective on sites f…READ FULL ARTICLE
