By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 18, 2024
Agartala, Sep 18 (FD) Tripura Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma Wednesday said that the north eastern state has attached maximum importance to enhance productions of bamboo, considered as green gold and introduce modern technology in bamboo crafts.
Speaking in an event organised by the ‘Tripura Bamboo Mission’ on the occasion of World Bamboo day today, Chakma said the demands for bamboo is growing day by day and the government has taken initiative to enhance its production.
“We also want to introduce newer technology to make bamboo craft products as its demands are growing every day”, she said.
Bamboos are popularly known as green gold & poor man’s timber and can generally adapt to wide range of climatic conditions.
The North Eastern state represents 28% of the countries bamboo stock and Tripura has 2397 sq. Km of bamboo forests forming about 23% geographical area of the state, officials said.
Bamboo is the most important non timber forest produce used extensively by tribal and rural people of Tripura and plays an important role in employment generation and socio-economic uplift in rural sector, Secretary of the department, Kiran Gittye said.
It is estimated that around 6.1 million man days is generated per year by way of harvesting and utilisation of bamboo in different forms.
21 species of bamboos are found in Tripura and initiatives were taken towards high density bamboo plantation to meet the present day market demand.
Efforts are being taken to use of technology in value addition activities to suit the National and International standards, officials said.
In Tripura, bamboo is utilised for rural housing, posts, walls, roof structure, roofing material, scaffolding, fencing and gates.
Baskets, food grain containers, rain shields, head gear and many other products are also created from bamboos.
Handicraft items like toys, ‘morra’, winnowing trays, hand fans, mats, wall panels, screens, umbrella handles, fishing rods agarbatti sticks are created from Bamboos.
Bamboo shoots are widely eaten by tribals and Bengalis both in Tripura. FD JK