TODAY -



E-Pao! Education - Bamboo light : Driving force of energy source of Manipur

Bamboo light : Driving force of energy source of Manipur

By: Irabanta Oinam *



Electric power is a vital component for operating most machines. Not only machine, it also gives happiness in both physical & biological process.

Today without electric power, quality education has no meaning. An example is that there are lots of complains arising from various localities when power is not available during the examination schedule of high & higher secondary schools.

Today a develop country is highly based on fast information and communication. As we come into the era of computer and internet, electricity become an uncompromised essential item of life. The state has limited electrical service, with either part-day operation.

Manipur has vast resources of bamboo. In our State bamboo is under the category of minor forest product. According to State Forest Department, the revenue collected from bamboo resource was only Rs. 3.42 lakhs in the year 2004-05. According to FSI in 1991, total land area covered by bamboo in Manipur is 3691.77 sq.km. It comprises 14 pc of total geographical area of Manipur.

The number of bamboo resource found in Manipur is 114.70 lakh ton-nes. There are many species of bamboo grown in Manipur such as

  • Longa,
  • Utang,
  • Khokwa,
  • Saneibi,
  • Maribob,
  • Laiwa,
  • Liwa,
  • Watangkhoi,
  • Nat,
  • Unap,
  • Vee,
  • Wamu,
  • Tenwa,
  • Wak,
  • Oonal,
  • Mobiwa etc.


The State has a large population of bamboo. Out of 126 taxa of bamboos reported from India over 53 species are found in Manipur. Bamboo can grow easily in the valley areas as well as on the hill slopes of the state. It is a fast growing, versatile woody grass.

It is an economic resource having immense potential for improving the quality of life of rural/ hill and urban communities with environment regeneration qualities like carbon sequestering. It is grown like any other horticultural crop by tilling the land and is harvested annually, when grown commercially.

The world market for bamboo is valued at US $ 10 billion of which China's share alone is to the tune of 50%. Market for bamboo is expected to reach about US $ 20 billion by 2015. The size of the India bamboo industry is estimated to be about Rs. 6505 crores, which may grow to Rs. 26,000 crores by 2015.

Bamboo flowering is reported in 1954-55 and also in 1974 (source BSI) in Manipur. At present the state has sounded the alarm bell for controlling the rodent population as we have witness bamboo flowering. Bamboo flowering and eventual death of the species in the coming seasons will make available large scale bamboo residues.

National Mission on Bamboo Applications (NMBA) has been specially created by TIFAC to address the issue of value addition of these residues. One such application conceived by NMBA is distributed power generation through bamboo gasification and further value addition of the residues. Several project were made for gasifier applications in the North Eastern region of the country where large scale bamboo flowering are to occur.

To utilize the vast bamboo resources, the State need to set up more Bamboo based gasifiers; presently one is under construction at Taobam village for generation of power/thermal energy. It will offer exciting prospects for value addition and utilisation of bamboo resources. The technology has been developed, tested and stabilised and is now available for large scale induction, suitable for application in the 25Kw to 1 Mw range.

Gasification of bamboo! bamboo waste for electricity/thermal applications:

The requirements for the gasification units are a small proportion of the total availability. A 100 Kw gasifier would require only about 1000 tonnes per annum, the equivalent of a truckload every three days on the average.

An added advantage of gasification of bamboo is that 15% of the biomass would also be available as a by-product in the form of high grade charcoal. In the case of a 100 Kwe gasifier, around 135 tonnes of charcoal would be available each year to meet local needs of fuel. It is clean, cheap & renewable source of energy.

It does not depend on quality, species, and maturity of bamboo. Bamboo is a renewable, flexible and versatile material. It grows in natural forests, and is cultivated in homesteads, groves and on private plantations (source: TIFAC)

Since long the state bamboo sector is neglected. A bright example is the failure of bamboo chipping plant located at Jiribam.

Till date the management of state bamboo resources has many constraints with lack of post harvest treatment and technology for product development, inadequate trained manpower and inadequate infrastructure for large scale harvesting in the event of gregarious flowering.

Keeping in view the potential of bamboo, the state has poor market linkage and technology application. The National Mission on Bamboo Technology & Trade Development has been mooted by Planning Commission to accord Bamboo development a strategic role in rural economy, poverty alleviation and bamboo based handicrafts & industrial development.

The task for coordinating the National Mission on Bamboo Technology and Trade has be-en entrusted by the Prime Minister to the Ministry of Agriculture. The Mission document envisages coverage of 2 million ha under bamboo during the 10th Plan involving an investment of Rs. 2608 crores. The document also envisages the integration of different Ministries/ Departments for the holistic development of the sector.

The estimated fund requirement for the 10th Plan is Rs. 2608 crores covering Rs. 2000 crores for raising new bamboo plantations in 2 million ha, Rs. 208 crores for technology development, Rs. 275 crores for handicrafts development, Rs. 125 crores for trade and market development.

The economic and social benefits from these activities have been worked out as 8.6 million job creation in the Tenth Plan, building up of 2 million ha bamboo resource and market opportunities worth Rs. 6500 crore with an investment of Rs. 2600 crore, enabling 5 million families of artisans and farmers crossing the poverty line.

Technologically advanced countries are poor in bio-resources! If we capture the wealth of our bam-boo resources through the assiduous application of technology, we could improve the present power shortage in the state.

This may improve the overall economy of the state as we need power to operate most machine.


* Irabanta Oinam wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on July 10th, 2006



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • Talheibi, Ningchui, Loyalakpa : eMing
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • The Weeping Gods of Manipur :: Poem
  • Disarming Kuki-Zo armed groups under SoO
  • Why nurses deserve more recognition, pay
  • The hidden truths of our social media lives
  • MMTU stand bang on target: Recapping May 3
  • Enhancing aerial options to ease travel woes
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Sustainable development - climate action #1
  • RIST Talk- 62 : Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • "Technically a BJP MLA will rule Nagaland"
  • Makar Sankranti : vibrant customs & traditions
  • Why gold is a strong hedge but ...
  • Delhi date on January 17
  • Onus of addressing tribal issues on new Guv?
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • Barak Festival advocates Peace, Progress
  • 'Yu', not fully liberalised
  • Article 355 equals Governor's Rule ?
  • Calls to vote with conscience
  • Zingtun academy leading by example
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Is Kuki-Zo community pushing Nagas to edge?
  • Will drive to find-treat-prevent TB continue ?
  • Smart Cities, dustier roads ?
  • ST of NE & Dalits of mainland India
  • That May :: Poem
  • Understanding Red, Yellow, Green
  • Cong posers on Govt aid to SoO group
  • Culturals @Tri-Nation Football #1 : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai festival of Kabui/Rongmei
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Gangtok, Sikkim (1983 till 1988) : Gallery
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • "Connections", art exhibitt @ DC : Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Indigenous People Cultural Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet