DR. THAKUR CALLS FOR INTEGRATED
DEVELOPMENT OF CANE AND BAMBOO INDUSTRY
The Minister of Small
Scale Industries & Department of Development of North Eastern
Region, Dr. C.P. Thakur has suggested that bamboo producing areas
in the North Eastern Region should be mapped according to the
type of species, their location and areas covered. He emphasised
the vast potential available in the North East States in form
of bamboo plantation that can be exploited to market bamboo products
domestically and in the international market. The Minister was
chairing the meeting of integrated development of cane and bamboo
industry here yesterday, that was attended by representatives
from Planning Commission, Ministries of Environment and Forests,
Agriculture, Labour, Department of Expenditure, DC(Handicrafts)
and others.
Elaborating on the
new technologies that have been developed for various purposes
like power generation and use of bamboo as a raw material for
products like flooring, panels, bamboo ply, earthquake resistance
construction, railway coach interiors, etc. Dr. Thakur said that
practical aspects of these uses should be worked out in detail
so that the projects may be initiated in the region to boost its
economic development. He further suggested that the Central Government
Ministries should be encouraged to purchase bamboo furniture for
its offices. A series of seminars should also be held in the concerned
States to create necessary awareness about the use of bamboo and
incorporate the feedback from these seminars into the schemes,
the Minister added.
The Development Commissioner(Handicrafts)
told that there is a lot of scope for export of bamboo and cane
products from the North Eastern Region. There are specific spices
that may be used for handicraft purposes. Their areas should be
identified and in those areas adequate power should be made available
so that the export items can be prepared and exported from the
region itself.
Dr. Thakur also discussed
the problem expected to be faced by the ‘Gregarious Flowering
of Bamboo’ and its repercussions especially in the State of Mizoram.
The Minister felt that there should be greater involvement of
North Eastern States in the formulation of the programmes for
the area.
