Kerala mulls unit to manufacture floor tiles from bamboo

Kochi, Dec 6 (UNI) To bolster bamboo-based industries in the state, Kerala Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem today said the government was planning to open a unit in Wayanad to manufacture floor tiles from bamboo.

Inaugurating the four-day 'Kerala Bamboo Fest' here, Mr Kareem said, ''The Centre and state are chalking out policies to help around 10,000 workers in the bamboo-related industries in the state.'' Mr Kareem said the Kerala State Bamboo Corporation (KSBC) was studying the possibility to manufacture new products from bamboo using modern technology.

He said the Kerala State Bamboo Mission and KSBC would initiate steps to increase bamboo production.

''The availabity of bamboo should be ensured by increasing and extending the cultivation of bamboo with the help of Forest Department,'' he said.

Nearly 42 delegates from 12 states, including West Bengal, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Sikkim would participate in the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Forest Minister Benoy Viswam said there was a huge potential for the bamboo, which had a world-wide business of Rs 64,000 crore.

He said India should try to emulate the efforts of China, which had an yearly growth of Rs 2,400 crore in the sector.

UNI