Economic benefits of bamboo stressed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 12 2011: To highlight the economic benefits as well as its historical importance in the life of the people a State level workshop cum seminar on the theme 'Bamboo for the Development of Youth in Manipur' was held on June 9 at Henbung.

The workshop cum seminar was organised by KVK Sylvan, Henbung the host institute of Foundation for Environment and Economic Development Services.

Addressing the 300 strong participants including boys and girls, the chief guest of the function, RK Srivastava, the Chief Conservator of the Forest Department, said that Manipur has a number of bamboo variety growing abundantly.

Bamboo grows in 16.5 pc of the geographical area of the State, said the Forest Officer and added that it grows abundantly in Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Chandel and Jiribam.

The varieties found here include Muli, Longa, Utang, Saneibi, Laiwa and Khokwa.

Srivastava said that bamboo has been in use in Manipur for ages and it is important that the younger generation know its values and added that efforts should be made to come up with new bamboo products so that its benefits can spread to the local communities.

Pointing out the commercial potential of bamboo, the Chief Conservator said that the bamboo trade in the US alone is 10 billion dollars.

Of this China meets fifty percent of the required bamboo, said Srivastava.

Stating that the trade volume in bamboo will grow, the Forest official said that by 2015, it is estimated it will grow to 20 million US dollar.

At the moment, India's bamboo based industry has a turn over of Rs 6505 crore and is expected to shoot up to Rs 25,000 crore by 2015 .

Recalling the bamboo flowering phenomena in the North East region between 2005 and 2007, Srivastava said that it led to massive destruction of bamboo growth and stressed on the need to work out a strategy to meet such instances in the future.

On the Government's effort to promote bamboo production, Srivastava said that the Centre has already started a Bamboo Mission while the State Government too has come up with the State Bamboo Mission.

Towards this end, the Forest Development and Bamboo Development Agency have been working effectively to promote bamboo plantation.

The Director of Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre, Guwahati and member of the Apex Committee on National Bamboo Mission, Government of India, Kamesh Salam attended the seminar as guest of honour while SK Vettivel, advisor and consultant of FEDS attended as the president of seminar cum workshop.

During the technical session, Kamesh Salam talked on NBM and Its Objectives and Technology.

In the evening session SK Vettivel spoke on Youth Entrepreneurship on Bamboo Plantation.

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