Emulate China's success story on bamboo: Khandu

Itanagar, Jun 18 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today stressed the need for largescale plantation of bamboo species for the uplift of the rural economy of the state.

Inaugurating a day-long training cum workshop on bamboo under National Bamboo Mission (NBM), the chief minister exhorted the departments concerned to emulate the success story of China, who had transformed its rural economy by promoting bamboo for domestic, construction and industrial applications.

Stating that Arunachal, with over 57 bamboo species, would be an ideal place for bamboo propagation, Mr Khandu advocated for producing quality bamboo products and ensuring proper marketing facilities for exports.

The chief minister assured extension of all possible help to make the mission successful adding that the Centre had already released over Rs 14 crore to the state for the purpose.

He said a global policy on pollution was under active consideration and if it was formulated, Chattisgarh and Arunachal would be benefitted as all the agencies executing power projects would have to pay taxes for destroying the environment and ecology, as per the policy.

Environment and Forest Minister Newlai Tingkhatra said increased use of bamboo for construction and industrial purposes would not only reduce pressure on forests but also lead to employment generation in the state.

Earlier, Chairman of State Bamboo Steering Committee and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) M B Lal said launching of the NBM was aimed at conservation of forests.

Mission Director G N Sinha, in a power point presentation, highlighted the various uses and prospects of bamboo in the state.

The government had also notified constitution of Bamboo Development Agency (BDA), District Level Agency of Bamboo (DLAB) and State Bamboo Technical Support Group (SBTSG), he added.

The workshop was organised by the State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) in association with the Department of Environment and Forests, Horticulture and Agriculture Departments.

UNI