NBM sanctions Rs 132 cr to K'taka

Bangalore, Mar 30 (UNI) The National Bamboo Mission (NBM), constituted to promote and conserve bamboo resources across the country, has sanctioned Rs 132 crore to Karnataka in the 11th plan for its Bidiru Siri project, the largest beneficiary of the NBM funds outside North-Eastern states.

Under the project, the state government had planned to increase bamboo cultivation in forest areas and private lands, according to Chief Conservator of Forest, Karnataka A K Varma.

Karnataka, which grows bamboo in about 5,00,000 hectares, produces about 50 lakh tonnes, about seven per cent of the growing stock of bamboo in India, was facing challenges, he said, adding that bamboo grows almost everywhere in the state except the dry districts of Raichur, Koppal, Gulbarga, Bidar, Bijapur and Bagalkote.

Major species in state were Dendrocalamus strictus, Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus stocksil, he said.

Recognising the importance of the bamboo resource, the Karnataka Government had set up a State Bamboo Steering Committee, under the Chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Forest Environment and Ecology, he said, adding that a Karnataka Bamboo Development Agency was also set up, under the Chairmanship of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, to oversee the implementation of the unique Bidiru Sire project.

Under the project, bamboo nurseries would also be established in the public and private sector, he said.

The NBM was established with the objective of facilitating the production and marketing of the bamboo products, and to assure appropriate returns to its growers, he added.

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