Kamesh Salam stated, the prices of bamboo in the State compared to other regions of the country is skyrocketing. As such he emphasized the need for a well-planned value estimation of bamboo across all regions of the State to root out the cause of the inflation.
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By RK Tayal
Founder and CEO of South Asia Bamboo Foundation and noted Bamboo Expert, Kamesh Salam has stressed on the need for proper value chain mapping to exhort bamboo plantation and boost bamboo economy of the State. He stated the same at the 13th World Day Celebration jointly organized by the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach, Manipur State Bamboo Mission and South Asia Bamboo Foundation at IBSD Conference Hall, Takyelpat on Sunday, September 18.
The noted bamboo crusader stated identifying the key stake holders or players in between the whole chain of the State’s bamboo market is the emergent need of the hour, starting from the cultivators all the way to the distributors. Kamesh Salam maintained the prices of bamboo in the State compared to other regions of the country is skyrocketing. As such he emphasized the need for a well-planned value estimation of bamboo across all regions of the State to root out the cause of the inflation. A technical and scientifically sound State Bamboo policy is the dire need of the hour, he added.
He exuded confidence that bamboo cultivation can also aid in the government’s ‘War on Drugs’, presenting itself as a viable alternative to poppy cultivation. Pointing out that Bamboo Day Celebration was initiated during his tenure as President of World Bamboo Organisation in 2009, Kamesh Salam said, a Bamboo Day Museum will be set up at Patsoi very soon to commemorate the significance of the day and to promote bamboo in general.
Replying to media queries whether the State government is doing enough to promote cane and bamboo sector, he simply replied, “No”abstaining from adding any further clarification and comments.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, R.K Ranjan stated External Affairs Ministry is ready to dispense requisite resources to bridge the gap between the local entrepreneurs and the global market. He maintained that the ministry is always on the lookout to push bamboo products from local entrepreneurs which meets demand and standard of the global market.
The Minister said that works to include bamboo skilling across all educational levels under the National Education Policy 2022 will be taken up to expand the scope of human resource in the State. The students and youths of the State will benefit immensely from the inclusion of such courses, he added.
Responding to media queries, the minister asserted, proposals to recognize bamboo as an essential commodity must come through proper official channels. The NDA government under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is always open to new innovative ideas which will excel the growth of the country, he said.
Principal Secretary and Mission Director of Manipur State Bamboo Mission, S.S. Chabbra; IBSD Director Professor Pulok Kumar Mukherjee, scientists, IBSD staff and local entrepreneurs took part in the programme. Notable international and national bamboo experts also took part in the programme via video conference. Bamboo saplings were also distributed to all who attended the programme at IBSD, Takyelpat.
It may be mentioned that 3 common facility centres for bamboo processing have been established at Tamenglong, Churachandpur, and Imphal. A Bamboo Technology Park at Kadamtala, Jiribam is currently under construction with an estimated project cost of over Rs. 831 crore. In Financial Year 21 or FY21, the annual allocation in Manipur to implement the ‘National Bamboo Mission’ stood at Rs. 6.5 crore.