Meghalaya adopts bamboo policy

Shillong, Jan 12 (UNI) In line with the Centre's thrust on development of the bamboo sector in the country, the Meghalaya government has adopted a bamboo policy with an aim to develop bamboo plantation.

The policy was aimed at sustainable development and utilisation of bamboo resources in the state,'' chief secretary SK Tewari told newspersons here yesterday after the Cabinet meeting.

Mr Tewari said the government had decided to set up a bamboo development agency in the light of bamboo mission launched by the Centre.

The objectives of the policy include formulationm protection and conservation of biodiversity; promotion of bamboo-based industries at cottage, small, medium and large scale levels; enhancing employment opportunities and livelihood security of the bamboo dependents through assured supply of raw materials etc.

The Planning Commission had prepared an action plan for the development of the bamboo sector in the county during the Tenth five year Plan.

The plan proposed creation of 8.6 million jobs through bamboo-based programmes to enable 5.01 million families to come out of poverty.

Through this policy, the government would encourage people to increase the bamboo production from two to ten tonnes per hectare annually, Mr Tewari informed.

The other features of the bamboo policy, include bamboo enterprise development section, developing bamboo products to be used as substitute for timber, charcoal made of bamboo and other byproducts.

UNI