Several bamboo experts are of the opinion that bamboo found abundantly in the Northeast region can be harvested to construct earthquake proof houses and other types of construction. There is need to merge the technological aspect of Bamboo harvesting and construction with the cultural aspect of the region.
By Atom Sunil Singh
The two-day international seminar on Bamboo Plantation, Hardening & Bamboo as Earthquake Proof Material for construction concluded at Imperial Hall of Classic Grande.
During the concluding session, Dr Kharibam Somorendro, Director (Retd), Institute of Cooperative Management (ICM) Gauhati was attended as a Chief Guest. Dr. Paonam Priyobrata Singh delivered the Rapporteur’s Report chaired by Prof. Naorem Mohilal Meitei, HOD, Department of Zoology, Manipur University. The programme was concluded with vote of thanks by Yumnam Rajeshwor, Advisor, AIMS Manipur.
The whole programme was live stream on youtube, facebook and zoom. The first session of the second day of the two-day international seminar on Bamboo Plantation, Hardening & Bamboo as Earthquake Proof Material for construction was chaired on the theme of Bamboo Hardening Processes by Prof. Naorem Mohilal Meitei, Department of Zoology, Manipur University, Canchipur. Dr. Jean-Luc Kouyoumji, President, Bamboo Science & Innovation, French, World Bamboo Ambassador spoke about Bamboo Treatment, Construction, Design, Products and Implementation. Thokchom Thoiba, Cultural Activist, narrated about Meetei Traditional Ways of Bamboo Harvesting, Treatment and Usage. Bonil Irengbam, Principal Architect, BIS Architecture LLP, Manipur talked about Bamboo-Nizing Megastructures. Dr. Khuraijam Bijoykumar Singh from Special Centre for the Study of North East India, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi shafted the Bamboo and Food (In) Security in Mizo Society of North East India. Samir Jamatia who is Bamboo Technologist, Working Member, National Bamboo Development Document under NITI AAYOG presented about the Bamboo Logistics. He presented it from Zoom meeting.
The second session of the second day was on Bamboo Plantation & Management chaired by Jean-Luc Kouyoumji. Bamboo Plantation & Management in Myanmar was spoken by Prof. Aung Myint, Irrawady Bamboo Association, Mandalay, Myanmar. Dr. Marc Alfons M Peeters who is the Director of PT Bambu Nusa Verde, Yogyakarta, Indonesia discussed through online on the Bamboo Propagation and Plantations. Dr. Guilherme Korte, Brazilian Bamboo Producers Association, Brazil presented his paper on Bamboo Plantation in Brazil from webinar. Prof. (Dr.) Ng. Iboyaima Singh, Dean, College of Food Technology, Central Agricultural University, Imphal talked about Good Management Practices for Bamboo Cultivation. Dr. Thangjam Robert Singh, Department of Life Science, Manipur University explained on Application of Plant Tissue Culture Technique in Mass Production of Bamboo.
The program on 7th and 8th Nov 2022, was jointly organised by Manipur University, Canchipur, CSIR-NEIST, Lamphelpat, & Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), Manipur and Supported by Babina Healthcare & Hospitality Industries. Public Works Dept., Govt. of Manipur and Manipur State Bamboo Mission, Govt. of Manipur.
The First Day
The inaugural function was held at 1 pm with Dr RK Ranjan Singh, minister of state for external affairs and education, Government of India as the chief guest and presided by Dr S Manikanta, Retd Add Director, Dept of Health, Government of Manipur. Other delegates on the dias were Shri Ram Muiva, Honorable MLA, Ukhrul Assembly Constituency, Manipur, Lt. Gen (Retd.) Dr. Konsam Himalay, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM.
Dr. I. Meghachandra Singh, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Lamphelpat, Dr. H. Birkumar Singh, Sr. Principal Scientist, CSIR-NEIST, Imphal, Dr. Jean-Luc Kouyoumji, President, Bambou Science & Innovation, World Bamboo Ambassador,Prof. Aung Myint, Irrawady Bamboo Association, Mandalay, Myanmar.
The key note address was delivered by Prof Ksh. Lalbihari Singha, Dept of Botany, MU. Yakairol Pena by S. Lucky Star and performance by Chakpa Andro Panam Ningthou Meihoubirol cultural Group were also the highlight of the program.
In the first technical session on “Earthquakes in MANIPUR AND North East India” chaired by Dr. H. Birkumar Singh, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NEIST, Lamphelpat. And Co-Chaired by Dr Jean –Luc-Kouyoumji, President, Bambou Science & Innovation, World Bamboo Ambassador and Prof. Aung Myint, Irrawady Bamboo Association, Mandalay, Myanmar. Four Speakers delivered their lecturers. The speakers were Dr. Atom Sunil, Executive Director, Marjing Industries, Manipur; Dr. Sarda Maibam, Asst Professor, Department of Earth Science, Manipur University; L. Ramananda, Scientist B, Geosciences, MARSAC, Planning Department and N. Somorendro, Asst Mission Director, NBM, Government of Manipur.
The amazing versatility of bamboo is no secret to green revolution visionaries. This plant also known as Green Gold or the poor man’s timber is abundantly found in North-East India, accounting to 65 p.c. of India’s total bamboo resources. In addition, the region is highly vulnerable to earthquakes as evidenced by earthquakes of 2016, 2020 and 2022 in recent past. There is need to integrate disaster plan to tackle high intensity earthquakes. Several bamboo experts are of the opinion that bamboo found abundantly in the region can be harvested to construct earthquake proof houses and other types of construction. There is need to merge the technological aspect of Bamboo harvesting and construction with the cultural aspect of the north eastern region to produce a more traditionally architecture buildings that is earthquake proof. Based on these objectives, the two-day International seminar was organised.
(Atom Sunil Singh is Organising Committee member of the international seminar on Bamboo Plantation, Hardening & Bamboo as Earthquake Proof Material)