World Bamboo Day : Promoting bamboos can create a turning point in our state's economy: Khemchand
Source: IT News / DIPR

Imphal, September 18 2018: Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly Yumnam Khemchand said that the Government is ready to provide any form of assistance for promoting the bamboos in view of its increasing importance as a plant and its innumerable usages that can bring a big change in our economy .

He was speaking as chief guest at the 10th World Bamboo Day Celebration 2018 that kick-started at Imphal today at the Singjamei Community Hall.

H.Shyamkanhai Singh, President , SUO ,Singjamei; Mayor L.Lokeshwor Singh, and Corporator Shri Th.Bankimchandra Singh of Imphal Municipal Corporation also graced the dais at the function as president and guests of honour respectively.

World Bamboo Day : Promoting bamboos can create a turning point in our state's economy: Khemchand

Highlighting that the Bamboo Mission needs the Centre's attention, Khemchand stated that bamboos are capable of more production with just 3 years of growth cycle compared with around almost 40-50 years in case of most tress.

He also appreciated IBSD Director Dr.Shahu's initiative of producing various products of bamboos like bed and other furniture items, marketing and supplying them to other states.

Taking into view the current scenario of Bamboo Mission in foreign countries, he said that China is planning to substitute 50% of all home-made materials like tiles and ceilings by bamboos by 2020 .

.HShyamkanhai stressed on the importance of bamboos as an essential ingredient we use in our day-to-day lives from birth till death for performing any ritual or ceremony.

Director, National Bamboo Mission, IFS D.D.Haokip stated that the climate and environment of Manipur is very suitable for the growth of bamboos and the government is ready to provide the required technical support, capacity-building, skill development and financial assistance for more production to boost the state's economy.

"Bamboo is a very important plant that can be grown even in valleys and river banks and can be easily harvested.

Unlike European & American countries, India is not lacking in resources and entrepreneurs in Manipur can industrially process the bamboos and start enterprises as source of income", he also said.

A rally was also held by the organizers from Kangla to Singjamei early morning as part of the event.

Different products of bamboos like bicycle, furniture, electronic goods and other by-products were exhibited during the function.

Meanwhile, a souvenir containing articles on increasing the awareness of bamboos globally was also released at the function.

The event that was held on the theme "Bamboo: the future plants�a new hope" was sponsored by National Bamboo Mission(Manipur Chapter) in co-ordination with various Departments including Commerce & Industries, Handloom & Textiles, Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Agriculture, Environment & Ecology Wing, Planning and University & Higher Education.

Bamboo symposium and painting competition will be held on the 19th and 23rd of this month respectively.

The 10th World Bamboo Day will be held at Imphal from 18th to 23rd September 2018.The World Bamboo Day was celebrated for the first time in 18th September 2009 at Prachan Buri, Thailand during the World Bamboo Congress held at Bangkok Thailand.

In Manipur, it was held for the first time on the same day in 2011 at Singjamei Community Hall, Imphal after which the event continues at different locations such as at Khangshim Village, Tengnoupal District; Shilheipung, Imphal East and Giving Tree, Sangaiprou.

Where bamboos grow naturally, it has been a daily element but its utilization has not sustainable due to exploitation.

The world bamboo organization aims to bring the potential of bamboos to a more elevated exposure-to protect natural resources and the environment, to ensure sustainable utilization, to promote new cultivation of bamboo for new industries in regions around the world as well as promote traditional uses locally for community economic development.