Manipur Forest & Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar while inaugurating a function of a state-level workshop on "Bamboo Resource and Product Development" in Imphal said that bamboo has high potential to promote sustainable development in the state.
"Manipur is suitable for bamboo plantation but people are still yet to fully tap its utility. Apart from economic viability, such plantations can mitigate climate change issue as it possesses high sequestration quality," the minister said.
"Bamboo plantation can be an alternative source of livelihood for Jhum cultivators as various items from edible to construction can be made from it. On top of this, the central government has removed loyalty taxation on it," Shyamkumar further added.
The minister further urged the people of Manipur to take tree plantation programmes seriously which is held every year on World Environment Day and Van Mahotsav.
"I am happy that the dignitaries here today are presented bamboo saplings instead of bouquets. Sapling presentation should be adopted by other departments as well as this will help in controlling global warming issues of the state," the minister said.
The one-day workshop was organised by National Bamboo Mission (NBM), Manipur, and was attended by a host of dignitaries including Additional Chief Secretary (forest and environment) Suhel Akhtar.
"Bamboo is abundantly available in Manipur but the quality of these species are not commercially viable. To gain its benefit, it is necessary to plant more good quality varieties of it," Akhtar said.
It may be mentioned here that NBM, Manipur has proposed four treatment plants and four bamboo waste units, apart from establishing one high tech nursery and 10 big nurseries in Imphal, five small nurseries in all the district of the state.
