Tribal women of Tripura use Bamboo to make incense sticks

Bisharganj (Tripura), June 5 : The tribal women in Tripura are using raw bamboo to make incense sticks, beside other products.

Reportedly, the state records about nineteen species of bamboo, which has been effectively used by these tribal women as a source of self-employment.

"We have lot of bamboo in and around our villages. We are using it to make valuable products like incense sticks," said Birajo Bebbarma, an incense stick maker.

The incense sticks have a ready market, and helps the women to earn supplementary income.

"I work here after completing my other work. Its an extra income. I use the money for continuing education of younger brother and sister," said Laxmi, another stick maker.

The finished incense sticks sell at price of Rupees 8 per kilogram while its price get almost doubled when polished, which is about Rupees 16 per kilogram.

The bamboo was being used as primary material for making houses and handicrafts of varied designs.

In Tripura, the 'muli' and 'barak' varieties of bamboo have been used for handicrafts, fencing, roofing, making clubs wielded by policemen and now incense sticks.

ANI