Shyamkumar pitches for bamboo plantation
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 14 2019: Forest and Environment Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar has opined that bamboo plantation can be an alternative to jhum cultivation in the State and it can result in socioeconomic upliftment of the bamboo growers/farmers and artisans.

He was addressing the gathering as the chief guest at the State level workshop on the theme 'Bamboo resource and product development' which was organised at City Convention Centre, by the National Bamboo Mission, Manipur, under the aegis of Forest Department, today.

Stating that bamboo product like bamboo shoot is one of the most popular delicacies in the State, he said that bamboo is also used in making other infrastructure and high quality bamboo plantation will improve the financial condition of the farmers and artisans.

The Minister further lauded the Forest Department officials for presenting bamboo saplings instead of bouquet in the function and opined that if different types of saplings are presented to the dignitaries at functions then definitely the people will inculcate the habit of planting trees which will help in environment conservation.

Shyamkumar further advised the participants to make note of the key points from resource persons/experts and practically implement them for the success of the workshop as well as the mission and instructed the Forest officials to review the trees/plants which were planted in previous years for successful implementation of achieving the goal set by the Department.

Suhel Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary, observed that although bamboo resource is abundantly available in the State, the quality of bamboo is not commercially viable.

As such, to gain the benefits, he said that the State will need to grow high quality varieties of bamboo.

He informed that the National Bamboo Mission, Manipur is working to get quality planting material and special units to process it and ultimately showcase the final products in the other parts of the country and in foreign countries like Myanmar.

The officer said that to make the products commercially viable, the people can add value addition to the products which is of high quality and are focused on durability, longevity and maintaining quality standards.

If good quality bamboos are produced here and sold, then the State and its bamboo growers/artisans will benefit the most, he added.

Dr DD Haokip, Additional PCCF (NBM & MP), State Mission Director, National Bamboo Mission, said that Manipur is one of the most important bamboo growing States in India with an area of 10,687 sq km.

The State has immense potential for bamboo resource and product development.

Bamboo product development activities like treatment, value addition and waste management are important, he said.

He said that National Bamboo Mission, Manipur has started establishment of one high tech nursery in Imphal, 10 big nurseries and 5 small nurseries in all the districts of the State to produce quality product material.

For product development National Bamboo Mission, Manipur and Forest Department have started work for establishment of primary processing unit in Sawombung (Imphal East), Noney, Churachandpur and Tengnoupal districts, which are the maximum bamboo growing districts of the State to facilitate supply of raw materials and benefit bamboo growers and artisans.

Stating that National Bamboo Mission, Manipur has proposed 4 treatment plants and 4 bamboo waste units this year to facilitate these processing units, he said that the bamboo growing districts can benefit from the processing units and common facility centres, where growers can sell raw materials and artisans can profit from skill development and training programmes.

The workshop was also attended by officials and staff of Forest Department including Kereilhouvi Angami, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), experts, artisans from different districts among others.

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