Synopsis Bamboo occurs in most parts of India except in the arid and very cold regions. Our country is the home of about 20 principal genera of bamboos out of a total of roughly 50 in the world. These species are both indigenous and cultivated. This handbook presents in a concise form useful information on the vernacular names, description, distribution, phenology, silviculture, management and utilization of important bamboos of India and the description and distribution of the rest. A write up on the rare and threatened bamboos of India also forms a part of this handbook.